ATM mainstream country is going through a terrible period and has been ever since the demon that is Garth Brookes appeared on the scene. It's a fetid sewer of bro country singers going on about beer, trucks and girls. Avoid that scene, dig a little deeper and there is plenty of great country music particularly where it overlaps with acoustic based singer songwriting and folk. I would agree with Boydie about the "Nashville" soundtrack - that is about as good as modern, main stream country gets. If you want my personal recommendations I would be listening to the following:
First Aid Kit - 2 Swedish sisters who write and sing the most beautiful country flavoured material you will find anywhere. Sublime harmonies, first rate songwriting and a super clean, natural production which does feature pedal steel but very subtly used.
Sarah Jarosz - I have been raving about this young lady to anyone who will listen for years. She sings, plays mandolin and writes her own material and she never fails to produce songs and arrangements of simple, delicate beauty. Essential.
Abigail Washburn - As above. Sublimely talented banjo player, songwriter and singer.
Gillian Welch - As good as the 2 listed above but she's been at it a fair bit longer and is a little more old time folky flavoured and quite a stark, low key performer. Brilliant though.
I'm conscious that these are all women but that's my personal taste. If you want to hear probably the best early 70's country crossover album listen to "Elvis Country". No pedal steel but a collection of tasteful country standards performed as only Elvis could. One of my favourite albums of all time.
Anyhow, something to be getting on with in your quest to hear some decent country music.
M