Something I neglected to mention about Jim Lauderdale, something that might break down any resistance some have to listening to someone as Country as Jim (I realize a fair number of Rockers have an aversion to the genre):
When I saw Lucinda Williams on her Car Wheels tour, Jim served as her bandleader/harmony singer/acoustic guitarist. He stood beside her on stage, playing his acoustic, singing harmony, providing what appeared to be moral support (she’s not the most confident of live performers), and leading the band (which included the great drummer Jim Christie, who quit Dwight Yoakam’s band to join hers).
Jim hosts the annual Americana Music Awards Show, and lately has been involved with another favorite music maker of mine, Buddy Miller. I’m tellin’ ya, the guy is ridiculously talented.