I'm a huge Big and Rich fan but no, I wouldn't say that's exactly the current direction of new country. They are a little on the fringe with the likes of Miranda Lambert, although Lost in this Moment was a huge hit. Right now "new country" would be stuff that sounds like Taylor Swift, Rascall Flatts, Brad Paisley, etc.

But yes, I think hard blues rock with banjos and fiddles is a fair characterization!