Who's heard of Gram Parsons? I've been a fan of his since I bought his final album with Emmylou Harris called "Grievous Angel". He overdosed trying to keep up with Keith Richards not long after it was released.
This guy invented Country rock while he was with the Byrds, then founded The Flying Burrito Brothers and kept the ball rolling. This guy was a huge influence on most any alternative country you might be into. I'll seriously have to learn how to do links so I can show you some examples of this guys stuff. Hopefully there's something on Youtube for him.

You know, Country music can be awful lonesome. Something it has in common with this thread.

I grew up with country music reddyeddy, and even have a resturant here called The Flying Burito Brothers, though have never heard of Gram Parsons. Im more of a Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, Conway Twitty and Jim Reeves kinda gal.

'Sweetheart of the Rodeo' rules!

If you get a chance, go to that restaurant and ask the proprietor(s) if they've ever heard of Gram Parsons. Odds are they're big fans, judging by the name of that restaurant.
When I finally get this link thing figured out,I'll try to find some good representative stuff off of Youtube for you to sample. You might find you like it. I'll put them on this thread so stay subscribed.
Have you heard any Emmylou Harris? She's sort of representative of Gram Parson's legacy.

Dang it T'Chaka, every time I try to rep you, I've repped you too recently.

Maybe I'll drag my husband down to the Flying Burito Brothers this weekend for Fathers Day!!!

She sounds really really familiar - what songs can you suggest for me to go check out on You Tube?

I'm feeling a little pissy because I can't find my Flying Burrito Brothers CDs anywhere. Very irritating.
Actually Gram was a man but I can see where you might think it was a female name.
Probably his best known song would be "Return of the Grievous Angel" from his "Grievous Angel" album. He duets with Emmylou Harris and it's very good. You also might want to look for his version of "Love Hurts" also with Emmylou Harris. "In My Hour of Darkness" is good if it's there.
See if you can find "Sin City", "High Fashion Queen". "Hot Burrito #1", "Hot Burrito #2", "Losing Game", "Devil in Disguise" and look for their covers of "Wild Horses" and "Six Days on the Road" for Flying Burrito Bros.
If you can find anything on Youtube from his Byrds days, off of "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" I'm fond of "Hickory Wind" and "You Ain't going Nowhere".
The Flying Burrito Bros put out a pretty good live album after Gram passed away called "Last of the Red Hot Burritos" that can be found in bargain bins here in the States. I must warn you they rock up most of the songs but I really enjoy it. It was mostly done to fulfill contract obligations, but I really like it.
Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go beat myself up over the apparent disappearance of my CDs. You know if I replace it, it will mysteriously reappear.
Ok, I found it, about twenty seconds before I was likely to put twenty stitches bashing my head against the wall for having lost it.

Too lazy to find any others

Gram Parsons - Grievous Angel

Emmylou Harris talks about Gram Parsons

You know all country should allow a couple of days between replies to allow the coyotes and tumbleweeds to pass.

You picked Some good ones, there Mark. You had me going with that Dropkick Murphys link. Then I realized it was part of your signature.

By the way; from that first link you can access other Gram Parsons songs pretty easily, including "Christine's Tune", which is also known as "Devil in Disguise". A great tune.

Should anybody conclude they'd like to find a copy of "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" I'd like to recommend you find the extended version. It'll cost a little more but it gives alternate takes of the songs sung by Gram instead of Roger McGuinn.

Now if I could just get people to respond to my jazz thread.

You're thinking of the cowboy tunes like when you discuss the Marshall Tucker Band.

Let me know how that turns out. i'll be surprised if he(she) are unfamiliar with Gram Parsons or at the least the band.

I'm a huge gram fan.

Here's my best of mix:

1-She - GP
2-Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man (live) - GP
3-Sin City - FBB
4-Do Right Woman - FBB
5-Streets Of Baltimore - GP
6-Hickory Wind - Byrds
7-How Much I’ve Lied - GP
8-Juanita - FBB
9-Blue Eyes - ISB
10-You’re Still On My Mind - Byrds
11-The Christian Life - Byrds
12-Cody Cody - FBB
13-Devil In Disguise (Christine’s Tune) - FBB
14-Las Vegas - FBB
15-Big Mouth Blues - GP
16-You Ain’t Going Nowhere - Byrds
17-Life In Prison - Byrds
18-One Hundred Years From Now - Byrds
19-Hild Horses - FBB
20-Hot Burrito #1 - FBB
21-Brass Buttons - GP
22-I Shall Be Released (unfinished) - FBB

It covers Gram's work from The International Submarine Band (the only song I felt was a keeper off that album), The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and his solo stuff in the end. The I Shall Be Released ends with Gram asking if we'd miss his guitar if he didn't play. Seemed like a fitting way to end the mix. Anyone want a copy? Shoot me a PM.

How did everyone hear about him? I first learned about his stuff from The Lemonheads. Their lead singer used to use Gram Parsons covers as B-Sides to all their singles. I eventually went looking for the source.