Like its cousin alternative rock, Alternative Country exists outside of the mainstream -- in this case, Nashville. Taking its cue from "outlaw country" and progressive country, Alternative Country strips country to the basics and then subverts it, both musically and lyrically. The music is hardcore country, and whatever traditional country merely suggests, Alternative Country spells it out explicitly.

Like its cousin alternative rock, Alternative Country exists outside of the mainstream -- in this case, Nashville. Taking its cue from "outlaw country" and progressive country, Alternative Country strips country to the basics and then subverts it, both musically and lyrically. The music is hardcore country, and whatever traditional country merely suggests, Alternative Country spells it out explicitly. It is the work of mavericks and outsiders, not conformists, and as such it covers many different styles, from alternative country-rockers to simple singer-songwriters. Often, Alternative Country was used interchangeably with Americana -- the difference between the two is that alt-country had its roots in country, while Americana grew out of the roots rock movement of the '80s, and found former rock & rollers turning to folk and country as they grew older. In fact, much of what fell under the Americana and Alternative Country umbrellas were in fact revivals of dormant country styles, including Western swing and rockabilly. Although they were considered an alternative radio format, Alternative Country and Americana did not break with country tradition, they embraced it -- something, ironically enough, which the music hitting the Nashville charts throughout the era did not do.