As one of the most prolific contemporary songwriters recording today, John Hiatt continues to astound and humble the creative process by releasing albums, almost on an annual basis, that stand distinctly on their own and relevant to their own moment.

Use the internet, spread the word, word of mouth. But in the long run, that's what it all comes down to, you have to play live. You never know who's going to be in that audience who knows somebody else, who knows somebody else, and one thing leads to another. You have to open up to that.

"Listen to your audience. Listen to what they say to you. And figure out if you, too, agree that that is something about you that is special. Then you can start developing it."

It's dudes only this week -- that is, if you consider 13-year-old Greyson Chance a dude. John Hiatt, Mat Kearney, Trace Adkins, and Richard Buckner are digging deep into American music roots and pulling out gold. Or at least shiny objects.

John Hiatt's new album Dirty Jeans And Mudslide Hymns kicks off with a pretty universally themed song, "Damn This Town." It's true, no matter what town you grow up in, every kid can't wait to get out of it.

Here's the latest video by the Chop Shop Records' act Scars On 45, the title track to their Give Me Something EP.

It's not just the thought that counts; it's the overview of how each year we repeat the journey home. And on the return -- our jeans a little tighter, the déjà vu unpleasantries of travel; all a mere blip, as in the end we still do anything to come home to our loved ones.

The Thorns absolutely has been my radar since it was first issued. Now, he's been the songwriter's songwriter for a long time: care to go into some of the Shawn Mullins story?

Basically, The Other Side Of Zero -- the new album by Elizabeth & The Catapult -- is a commentary on the parallels of Elizabeth Ziman's New York City life and Leonard Cohen's inability to achieve Buddhist ideals.

Rosanne Cash's new autobiography is clearly the journey of Rosanne Cash, not a back door glimpse into the life of Johnny Cash. Others in her position might not have been so elegant.

I will always believe that the gift of music is more beautiful and powerful than even the nicest tie or pen set. So here's my musical gift for all of the other dads out there in Huffington Post-land.

A tireless, gracious and versatile performer, this tenderhearted temptress from Texas is known for ably assisting other groups, whether she's opening or closing a show.

Rather than complain about your deluded belief that failing to be elected vice president somehow makes you president or God, I'm here to help you with some totally boss tunes to remind you how to work and play better with others.

While most of his contemporaries have the fantasy of signing the bottom line of a label contract, Jonah Smith has rejected a record company's offer instead.

You've heard Elvis Costello sing country music before, but not like this. The lad who gave us Almost Blue is quite mature and worldly wise now.

Bruce, arm-in-arm with his old E Street gang, seems to be working on his own dream of growing old, not just gracefully, but significantly.