Turnpike Troubadours Diamonds and Gasoline

Named for the bumpy toll-roads of Oklahoma and their rough-hewn, folk-singing heroes, the Turnpike Troubadours are proof that isolation can be the mother of originality. Cutting their teeth in roadside dancehalls and honkey-tonks has made a genuine impact on the band's unique musical style, walking the proverbial line between Woody Guthrie and Waylon Jennings. With their revered second effort, 2010's Diamonds And Gasoline (produced by Red Dirt veteran Mike McClure), the band achieved the rare feat of creating an album that is immediately accessible, yet continues to reveal greater depth upon each listen. The compelling combination of Evan Felker's affecting character sketches and blue-collar narratives and the virtuosity of his band mates, is potent on standouts like "Every Girl," "7 & 7," "The Funeral," "Diamonds and Gasoline" and "Long Hot Summer Days."