Who are the "future legends" in Country Music?

Twenty years from now, which country singers will be known as "legends" of this genre? I will be keeping track of your "votes" and tally them up every so often.

Most country artists have already hit 'legend' status by the time I hear of them. One exception is a very young lass from Darwin in Australia called Jessica Mauboy . Commentators with far better knowledge of country music than me are raving about this girl and her vocal range that's well ahead of her short 14 years. She took out the national talent quest for youth called Road to Tamworth, which in itself is quite a feat. Story here.

Another Aussie with some potential to hit the national stage is Karen O'Shea. Great voice, great looks, kind of a country Diana Krall.

I'm not much up on contemporary country though what I've heard from Jessica Andrews so far is very promising. She has three cd's out now and the two I've heard are pretty good for my tastes in country-pop.

Will country music accept the alternative country/Americana crowd as part of their own within 20 years? That would be great if they did, it would sure keep the blood and energy flowing into modern country. The music of Mandy Barnett and Mindy Smith rides the border of popular country and the alternative side but should be well accepted by both camps. Those two have released great debut albums and hopefully will be heard from for many years to come.