I'm a fan of Dave Alvin, James McMurtry, Tom Russell and similar artist and I don't think they are country or rock. What are they? I have most of the stuff by all three of them (Dave & Phil Alvin are from my hometown-Downey, CA)-I would call them singer-songwriters or Americana (don't like the term roots music)
I think people use terms like alt-country as a way of distinquishing artists like these from the crap coming out of Nashville, AND from classic/true country. Just a way of grouping similar artists together. i've never heard of them, but i think i know where you're coming from...
--kelli | 