I have to say, when I think of "country western music" I have to think back to the old timers... not sure I like some of the more "modern" country singers...
I remember Hank Williams, Hank Snow, Lefty Presell, Little Jimmy Dickens, Johnny Cash, June Carter, Johnny Horton (met him once - liked his music, he wasn't all that nice of a person himself - my boss at the time helped him get started in music)... many others I can't think of names of just now.
My brother in law was one of the old time fiddler's and when it started to hurt his neck switched to the base... remember he played in a trio at my parents house for a dance when I was about 4 or 5(way back in the mid 1940's) ... Hank Snow tried to hire him more than once to play with his band, but BIL didn't want to travel and be away from home.... he was auto mechanic by day and musician on the weekends.