USA Network is all about characters --- and, somewhat surprisingly, not just the fictional kind. Sorry, Monk ...

The cable TV station recently launched the Character Project -- an artful attempt at capturing a sense of Americana. They sent 11 world-class photographers to various corners of the country to shoot away and tell a story. It's cool.

One photog traveled highway 50 (which cuts across the nation from Maryland to California) while others photographed a Texas homecoming, organic farmers of the Northwest and the "spirit of the south ... whatever that is ... among other themes.

Michigan-born photog Eric Ogden chose Michigan Music as his thesis and photographed some of the most notable musicans, new and old, for the project.

Iggy Pop, Dirtbombs, Matthew Dear, Sufjan Stevens and more! Again, it's cool.

Here's a little taste:

Bootsy Collins

Dan Kroha

Terrible Twos

Wendy Case

Deastro

Warren Defever