The trend of artists on this list who struggles to find airplay on radio continues with Steve Earle. With the main exception of Copperhead Road, Earle’s music was too Country for Rock stations, and the songs that sounded Country enough were laden with leftist politics which generally does not fit the traditional Country audience. At his core, he is a basic American Roots Rocker who although the parallels that he gets to Bruce Springsteen are not completely unjustified, he may always struggle to find one tenth of Bruce’s audience.  

As one of the fathers of Gangsta Rap; Ice-T helped usher in a new musical sub genre. Rapping about issues that concerned the life in the South Central ghetto, Ice-T’s raps were as deep as they were intense and regardless of his subject matter he always came across as cerebral. Musically, he was one of the first to blend Rap with Metal with his work with Body Count. Ice-T may have been one of the more controversial figures in the early commercial Rap world, but he was one if it’s best. With Grandmaster Flash and Run D.M.C. in, it is only a matter of time before a third gets in. Could Ice-T be the third?

With the Alternative boom in the 90’s, other forms of music got a more mainstream look. Metal fans were no different, and White Zombie gained more exposure as some fans were looking for something a little different. With White Zombie they founded the darkest elements of Horror imagery come to life with a pulsating Metal edge. Their leader, Rob Zombie has remained in the public eye (though not musically) and despite his solo efforts, White Zombie as a group would be the best shot for Zombie.

The Bullet Points:

Eligible Since:

2010

Country of Origin:

U.S.A. (New York City)

Nominated In:

Never

NIHOF’s Favorite Album:

La Sexorcisto: Devil Music, Vol 1 (1992)

NIHOF’s Favorite Song:

Thunder Kiss 65’ (From La Sexorcisto: Devil Music, Vol 1, 1992)

As one of the principal figures of the Outlaw Country movement, Waylon Jennings took Country back to its Honky Tonk Roots. It was in the 70’s that Jennings produced his best work and developed a huge and devoted fan base. His music inspired a lot of Southern Rock, and is considered an icon among Alternative Country circles. Jennings is already in the Country Music Hall of Fame, and it is not impossible for him to enter the Rock and Roll version as well.