The 2012 SERFA conference in Montreal NC presented a trio of impact acts changing the face of American music. All are young, feature strong original music, and include open back banjos.
The Stray Birds have the most
conventional sound, but the best songs and the vocals.
Emily Pinkerton delivers a potent fusion of Old-Time and Chilean music.
Harpeth Rising draws on both classical and Old-Time which commentary on contemporary issues.
The most edgy  exciting music today is happening in the young string band scene. The folk revolution is on.