Great country recording

George Strait
 Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys
Haggard
Willie
Ian Tyson
Dale Watson
Guy Clark
Jimmy Lafave
Cash
Waylon
Vince Gill
Hank Williams Sr.
Asleep at the Wheel
Hank Thompson
Lyle Lovett
George Jones
Loretta Lynn
Dan Roberts
Chris Ledoux
Garth Brooks (first 2 albums only)
Pat Green
Mark Chestnut
Alan Jackson

Time-Life sold a subscription-format of CDs back in the late 80s-early 90s that covered popular country from around 1950 through 1972. Each CD covered one year. The set does a very fine job of presenting that period in popular country music. I think the CDs can be found quite often on eBay. 

Current country as played on the radio is horrible and should be mostly avoided. That is a true statement extending back for about 15-20 years (other than any artists listed above still recording).

I neglected to include Jerry Jeff Walker.

Also, the following wouldn’t necessarily be categorized as country but are some of my favorites (who would likely be considered what’s called Americana music):

James McMurtry
Todd Snider
Fred Eaglesmith 
Ray Wylie Hubbard
Hayes Carll