I think I started getting into alt-country around 2001 or so. When I wasn’t listening to punk/garage music, I would be spinning Gram Parsons or Steve Earle records.
That kinda led me to these guys. Old 97’s hail from Dallas, TX and formed in 1993. They are considered pioneers in the alt-country circles and have incorporated many other genres including Power-Pop, Cow-punk and Americana. They have recorded 11 albums, with a greatest hits CD and several compilations. One of my personal favorites would be 2001’s “Satellite Rides” with the great power pop track “Rollerskate Skinny”.