When the Old 97 s got together in Dallas, Texas, in 1993, bands like The Jayhawks, Uncle Tupelo, Whiskeytown, and Drive-By Truckers were already picking up their guitars and makin records. Once enough of these sorts of bands started gracing clubs across the country, the folks who pay attention to musical trends started citing them collectively as an emerging movement. Critics called their music alt-country and praised bands like the Old 97 s for their attention to songwriting craft and sweaty rockin shows.