Stagecoach: A strong dose of roots country in the Harters, Triple Chicken Foot and the Coal Porters

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Stagecoach got a strong dose of roots country early Sunday across all three stages.

The Harters, an unassumingly charming family trio from Phoenix that opened the Mane Stage lineup, used tight sibling harmonies on originals that showed their desire to stay off the well-trod territory of their Nashville peers.

Meanwhile, the Mustang Stage served up a pair of proto-country acts. Triple Chicken Foot is a trio that models itself on early 20th century forebears such as the Carter Family and Charlie Poole.

That’s similar ground covered by the Coal Porters, who deserve an award for best name at this year’s fest. It’s the new group formed by former Long Ryders musician Sid Griffin and four pals from his adopted home in England who know their way around Bill Monroe’s songbook.

Rosie Flores brought rock ‘n’ roll into the mix, flashing her rockabilly and honky-tonk chops in an effervescent set that was one of the few that let a woman loose with an electric guitar.

She was joined late in her set by kindred spirit Big Sandy in a duet on Leroy Van Dyke’s ‘Walk On By.’ Here’s hoping Flores herself gets yanked onstage to join her rocking fairy godmother, Wanda Jackson, who’s due next on the same stage.

-- Randy Lewis