The New Bluegrass: Five Acts to Watch

Old Crow Medicine Show

Sound: This Nashville-based crew ramp up harmonica-laced acoustic jams and jug band blues with thoroughly modern tales about popping methamphetamines and puffing marijuana dubbed "Alabama High Test." Still, the group — Ketch Secor Critter Fuqua, Willie Watson, Morgan Jahnig and Kevin Hayes — do tip their hat to classic folk tropes. "Can you still sing about mules in 2008?," Secor asks, referring to their song "Tear it Down." "Yeah! We sung about them last night in New York, and there were stockbrokers slobbering all over prom queens and gay guys and black guys from New Jersey, all singing about mules."

Story: Soon after Old Crow formed in 1998, the group cut their teeth as a traveling group of buskers in Canada, performing in dive bars, on street corners and at Indian Reservations. "We'd roll into town and it'd be like Footloose when the rock & roll kid comes into town," says Secor. The group then moved south to Tennessee, where they became chummy with country veteran Doc Watson. "We didn't really pal around or anything," says Secor. "He was more like an old road sign telling us which way to go musically. It made all the difference."

Key Track: The harmony-and-fiddle-heavy jam "Alabama High Test," which chronicles an unfortunate bust for possession of a half-pound of some killer weed.

Expert Opinion: "They've got a lot of energy," says McCoury. "They used to open shows for me a few times, but now I'll probably have to open up for them."