My favorites at this time:
Jason Isbell: touring on "Southeastern" by far the 2013 Americana album of the year IMO. Prepping to do a 2 night stand at the Ryman.
Sturgill Simpson: recording a new record...modern day king of the Telecaster right here. Though his 2013 debut was right up there with Isbell's. Totally different animal though.
Sons of Bill: recording a new record and touring pretty heavily in between sessions. Just returned from Europe.
Girls Guns and Glory: Touring to promote their most recent release.
Whiskey Myers: Just released a killer record and are touring down south (their home) to promote it.
Radney Foster: Just about ready to release a new record at the end of the month...doing some light touring until it's ready to drop, then hitting the road.
Stephen Kellogg: Light touring, then his annual Family BBQ fest. in late June...then hopefully hitting the road with the full band again.
Hoping to see most of them on tour this summer.