Other

The following are unique stylists who don't really fit into any category.

Johnny Cash
Essential 1955-1983 (3 CDs)

Cash began as a Sun Rockabilly guy, but evolved into a folk-influenced singer/songwriter in the 1960s. This is the definitive collection at a bargain price, and it covers his recordings up until his late-career revival with producer Rick Rubin.

Roger Miller
All Time Greatest Hits

Good country songwriters are almost always craftsmen, writing clever and concise variations on classic themes. Roger Miller is one of the few who can really said to be a creative genius.

There were at least three incarnations of Miller's career. The first was as a sideman and writer of clever but still more or less classic honky tonk songs played by the likes of Ernest Tubb, Ray Price, Faron Young, and others. The second, and by far the most interesting, was the singer who cut impossibly inventive country/pop songs like King of the Road in the mid-'60s to phenomenal success. After that there was a long decline until a comeback as the songwriter for the Broadway play Big River.

This is the best single-CD collection available, and be aware that several of the other collections on the market are vastly inferior re-recordings.

Further Listening: If you really love Miller, spring for the King of the Road Box set.

Link: Here is a very good official Roger Miller site.

Marty Robbins
16 Biggest Hits
List Price: $11.98

A singers' singer, Robbins moved through honky tonk, teen pop, sorta-rockabilly, cowboy songs, Hawaiian music, Countrypolitan and more over the course of a 30-year career. Among the classics here are Singing the Blues and the gunfighter ballad El Paso.

Columbia's The Essential Marty Robbins: 1951-1982, is an even better collection, but it's out of print. It's still available used if you look around.

Hank Snow
The Essential Hank Snow

The greatest Canadian in the history of country music, Snow was a Grand Ole Opry fixture until his death in 1999. Known early in his career as the Yodeling Ranger, Snow began as a Jimmie Rodgers imitator. Songs such as I've Been Everywhere showcase Snow's rapid-fire articulation, and his nasal voice is instantly recognizable. There are other collections out there, but this is the one you want.