i really dislike country music, but...
 

can anyone suggest a band/artist that might sway my opinion?

i cant stand "twangie" sounds. does this rule out the whole genre?

No idea, why would you want to try a genre you don't like?

because when i say i hate a genre, i want to have an arsenal of reasons why i hate it.

try

Hank Williams III - Straight to Hell

it's twangy but in a good way

Charlie Robison's Life of the Party. I hated country music to before I heard this CD. It proved to me that there is better country music then what is on the radio. Also, it's helped me find more artists that I now like.

You're more than likely listening to radio pat garbage. Don't. Try anything suggested in this forum, or (shameless plug) go find my AltCountry thread and check some of those artists.

Well, if you want real country music, it's going to have a country twang. Sorry, that's just how it is.

However, if you're not choosy, you could pick any artist from today. Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Shania Twain, Garth Brooks, etc. They're all considered country, but they're really soft pop.

Groups today that sound more like classic country are few and far between. The Dixie Chicks and Randy Travis are two that have stayed closer to the traditional sound. Although, the new Dixie Chicks cd is bland, bland, bland.

Oh, some more artists you might like, Johnny Cash, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Willie Nelson, and Billy Joe Shaver.

Steve Earl, no? I like his newer stuff.

Here it is, the only country song I actually like.

Take Me Home, Country Roads - John Denver
http://www.napster.com/player/tracks/15113057

It's actually listenable to me, especially played on the violin...er, fiddle.

look into Dwight Yoakam

anything by the band Silver Jews. They're "folk country" for lack of a better word.