This is the age old question. I use a standard kit. I find that I use less actual drums (a snare, a double bass pedal, three toms) and more cymbals. You only need so many different tom sounds. I have a lot of cymbals, my kit is set up with 9 as of right now, because each cymbal offers a truely unique sound not necessarily able to be reproduced off of another cymbal. I find that drummers on small kits tend to be able to move a bit faster over their kit. Also, I think they become better all around drummers because they have to make do with minimal setup and still have their music sound good. (however, their are acceptions to this..Niel Piert for one) But this is comming from a punk drummer. I find this setup works well for country as well, but for a lot of other styles, the bigger kit may be necessary. So big or small? I say less drums, mroe cymbals.

"Cause our lives are full of fate
Full of love and sometimes hate
And they’ll never lead us wrong
This is where we belong"

-Me