Nominally a record by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band from 1972 (and they play on most cuts), it's really a showcase for many of the great traditional country singers and musicians.
I don't remember exactly when I first heard this one--probably in my early 20's--but it opened my eyes to a new world of music.
Flat-top virtuoso and singer from North Carolina, Doc Watson. A legend in bluegrass circles:
I've heard so many people proclaim Chet Atkins as the greatest (country or otherwise) guitar player, but before Atkins there was Merle Travis. What he did on guitar became known as "Travis-picking'"-basically a finger style guitar, where he's playing both a top and bottom part. He played electric and acoustic but is just acoustic here. Listen to George Harrison on early Beatles records such as "I'l a Loser" for perhaps a Merle Travis influence.
Jimmy Martin was quite a character. I saw him play in Grimes, Iowa in 1986.
"In the gutter you were makin', yourself, qui-et a name"