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Alternative Country Trivia Quiz

As Steve Earle once said: "If Garth Brooks is country, then I hope I'm not" This quiz is for all of those people who love country but cannot stand Garth Brooks. I covers Everything from Country Rock to Singer Songwriters to Alt.Country.

A multiple-choice quiz by Case2. Estimated time: 7 mins.

Author
Case2

Time
7 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
82,241

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Very Difficult

Avg Score
6 / 15

Plays
753

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. This band is often credited with inventing Alt.Country. The title of their first cd "No Depression" became synonymous with the new movement. Who are they?
Hint

Cracker

Uncle Tupelo

The Long Ryders

The Jayhawks

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Question 2 of 15

2. Another quote from Steve Earle: "He is the greatest songwriter in the world and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffeetable in my cowboy boots and say that." Who is he talking about. Hint

Johnny Cash

Guy Clark

Townes Van Zandt

Hank Williams

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Question 3 of 15

3. Gram Parsons launched the career of one of the most famous icons of both mainstream and alternative country. She sang background vocals for Bob Dylan as well as many young guns like Ryan Adams

Answer: (Two Words)

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Question 4 of 15

4. Lucinda Williams hit the spotlight with 1998's "Carwheels on a Gravel Road". Her first album came out almost two decades earlier on the Smithsonian label. What was it called? Hint

Sweet Old World

Ramblin'

Happy Woman Blues

Essence

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Question 5 of 15

5. Johnny Cash recorded a cover version of a Soundgarden song. What was it called? Hint

Jesus Christ Pose

Black Hole Sun

Spoonman

Rusty Cage

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Question 6 of 15

6. The Cowboy Junkies recorded a Neil Young song for their "Caution Horses" album. What is the title? Hint

Powderfinger

Mr. Soul

Cripple Creek Ferry

Winterlong

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Question 7 of 15

7. Before going solo, Gram Parson's played in a band whose name referred to Mexican food. What was the name of the band?

Answer: (Three Words)

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Question 8 of 15

8. Including members of The Jayhawks, Wilco and Soul Asylum, they might be considered the first supergroup of Alt. Country. Who are they? Hint

Grant Lee Buffalo

Goldem Smog

Continental Drifters

Blue Mountain

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Question 9 of 15

9. What band was Ryan Adams in before going solo?

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 10 of 15

10. Steve Earle recorded a track with Irish folk-punks The Pogues for his 1988 album "Copperhead Road". What's the name of the track? Hint

Johnny Come Lately

Devil's Right Hand

Snake Oil

Back to the Wall

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Question 11 of 15

11. Which of the following singer-songwriters was not born in Texas? Hint

Jerry Jeff Walker

Guy Clark

Townes Van Zandt

Nanci Griffith

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Question 12 of 15

12. In his father's footsteps, Jakob Dylan went into the music business. What's the name of his band? Hint

Wild Colonials

The Walkabouts

The Wallflowers

Willard Grant Conspiracy

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Question 13 of 15

13. In 1994 Nanci Griffith recorded a duet called "Going Back to Georgia" with the lead singer of Counting Crows. What is his name? Hint

Jay Farrar

Brian Henneman

Adam Duritz

Gary Louris

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Question 14 of 15

14. Let's revisit the 70's. Which classic country-rock song starts with the introduction: "Virgil Cane is my name"? Hint

Sweet Home Alabama

Hotel California

The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

Ol' 55

15. To end this quiz, we have to ask a question about the grandpa of Alternative Country, the late great Hank Williams himself. Which Hank Williams song was covered by Beck, Elvis Presley and Petula Clark and is also the title of a 1985 biography Hint

I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry

Ain't Nothin' As Sweet As My Baby

Jambalaya

Your Cheatin' Heart

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This band is often credited with inventing Alt.Country. The title of their first cd "No Depression" became synonymous with the new movement. Who are they?

Answer: Uncle Tupelo

"No Depression" is also the title of a magazine specializing in Alt.Country. Uncle Tupelo only made four CD's but their legacy continues.

2. Another quote from Steve Earle: "He is the greatest songwriter in the world and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffeetable in my cowboy boots and say that." Who is he talking about.

Answer: Townes Van Zandt

Often quoted, probably misquoted. Townes Van Zandt answered by saying: "I've seen Bob Dylan's bodyguards and I wouldn't recommend it."

3. Gram Parsons launched the career of one of the most famous icons of both mainstream and alternative country. She sang background vocals for Bob Dylan as well as many young guns like Ryan Adams

Answer: Emmylou Harris

No Comment Needed

4. Lucinda Williams hit the spotlight with 1998's "Carwheels on a Gravel Road". Her first album came out almost two decades earlier on the Smithsonian label. What was it called?

Answer: Ramblin'

Ramblin' is pure country blues. Just a voice and a guitar and therefore a stark contrast to the work that gained her the recognition she so deserved.

5. Johnny Cash recorded a cover version of a Soundgarden song. What was it called?

Answer: Rusty Cage

This song appeared on Unchained, along with Beck's "Rowboat" and Tom Petty's "Southern Accents". There's even a guest appearance by Red Hot Chili Peppers bass-player Flea.

6. The Cowboy Junkies recorded a Neil Young song for their "Caution Horses" album. What is the title?

Answer: Powderfinger

This is one among a few interesting Cowboy Junkies covers, also including Lou Reed's "Sweet Jane", Townes Van Zandt's "To Live is to Fly" and Hank Williams' I'm so Lonesome I could cry"

7. Before going solo, Gram Parson's played in a band whose name referred to Mexican food. What was the name of the band?

Answer: Flying Burrito Brothers

Gram Parsons is the godfather of Alternative Country. No further comments.

8. Including members of The Jayhawks, Wilco and Soul Asylum, they might be considered the first supergroup of Alt. Country. Who are they?

Answer: Goldem Smog

On their first album they were credited by an alias due to contractual issues with their record companies. Their aliasses consisted of their middle name and their place of birth creating some interesting names like Jarret Decatur and Leonardson Sarratoga. On the second album they are listed by their real name.

9. What band was Ryan Adams in before going solo?

Answer: Whiskeytown

Some say Whiskeytown was very much Ryan Adams alone, although the contributions of fiddle player Caitlin Cary and guitarist Mike Daly should not be underestimated.

10. Steve Earle recorded a track with Irish folk-punks The Pogues for his 1988 album "Copperhead Road". What's the name of the track?

Answer: Johnny Come Lately

Johnny Come Lately is a song about WW2 and Vietnam soldiers. The first were heroes, the second villains. Steve Earle has written a lot of songs about the wrongs in American society.

11. Which of the following singer-songwriters was not born in Texas?

Answer: Jerry Jeff Walker

Although very much part of the Austin folk scene in the early 70's Jerry Jeff Walker was born in upstate New York and recorded his first albums in New York.

12. In his father's footsteps, Jakob Dylan went into the music business. What's the name of his band?

Answer: The Wallflowers

Not wanting to be known as the son of.. Jakob decided not to cash in on his daddy's name and started a band. The line up changed a few times and the band could easily have been called Jacob Dylan and the Wallflowers. Fair play.

13. In 1994 Nanci Griffith recorded a duet called "Going Back to Georgia" with the lead singer of Counting Crows. What is his name?

Answer: Adam Duritz

On the same album "Flyer" are also contributions by the Indigo Girls, Emmylou Harris, The Chieftains and U2's Adam Clayton.

14. Let's revisit the 70's. Which classic country-rock song starts with the introduction: "Virgil Cane is my name"?

Answer: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

The Band were one of the best when it came to mixing country and rock and even now, their music is very much alive and does not sound outdated.

Answer: Your Cheatin' Heart

Even though Elvis recorded "I'm So Lonesome I could Cry" and "Jambalaya" as well and "Ain't Nothin' As Sweet As My Baby" is the title of another biography. Beck and Petula Clark only recorded "Your Cheatin' Heart" Beck for the Tribute CD "Timeless" and Petula Clark on 1975's "I�m The Woman You Need"

Source: Author Case2

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
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