In the 1990s the term alternative country , paralleling alternative rock , began to be used to describe a diverse group of musicians and singers operating outside the traditions and industry of mainstream country music .
In the 1990s the term alternative country ( which is like the term alternative rock , which was becoming popular at the same time ) , began to be used to talk about different groups of musicians and singers who did not follow the same traditions of regular country music , and who had a different sound .