John Hiatt

John Robert Hiatt is an American singer-songwriter and musician. He has played a variety of musical styles on his albums, including new wave, blues, and country. Hiatt has been nominated for nine Grammy Awards and has been awarded a variety of other distinctions in the music industry.

COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME^® AND MUSEUM TO FEATURE JOHN HIATT AS NEXT POETS AND PROPHETS HONOREE

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – July 9, 2024 – The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will feature singer-songwriter John Hiatt in the next installment of its in-depth interview series Poets and Prophets. The series features songwriters who have made significant contributions to country music. The program will take place on Saturday, Aug. 10, at 2:30 p.m. in the museum’s Ford Theater and is included with museum admission.

Throughout his 50-year recording career, Hiatt has established himself as one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of his generation, as well as a hit composer for country and rock artists alike. Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Country Music Hall of Fame members Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson are among the artists who have covered his acerbic, soul-stirring songs.

Hiatt began his professional songwriting career at age 18, when he moved to Nashville to work at Tree Publishing. Over the next two decades, his songs became hits for Rosanne Cash (“The Way We Make a Broken Heart”), the Desert Rose Band (“She Don’t Love Nobody”) and Three Dog Night (“”Sure as I’m Sittin’ Here”). Hiatt found success as a recording artist with his landmark 1987 album, Bring the Family, which featured “Have a Little Faith in Me” and “Memphis in the Meantime,” among other enduring songs. In its wake, he went from earning cuts to being covered by some of music’s biggest names, including Bonnie Raitt (“Thing Called Love”) and B. B. King and Eric Clapton (“Riding with the King”).

Following a stint in Los Angeles, Hiatt returned to Nashville in the mid-1980s and has continued to write, perform and record. He has released more than two dozen albums, most recently 2021’s Leftover Feelings, a highly regarded collaboration with the Jerry Douglas Band, recorded at historic RCA Studio B. In 2008, Hiatt was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and received a lifetime achievement award for songwriting from the Americana Music Association. In 2019, he became the third recipient of the BMI Troubadour Award, which recognized his work as a songwriter.

Michael Koryta

Michael Koryta began writing at a very early age. As an eight-year-old boy, he began writing to his favorite writers and by 16 had decided he wanted to become a crime novelist. By the age of 21, his crime novel, Tonight I Said Goodbye, had won the St. Martin’s Press/Private Eye Writers of America Best First Novel prize.^[4] Nine of Koryta’s novels have been optioned for potential film or television production.^[5]

Those Who Wish Me Dead, his 2014 stand-alone novel, was named the summer’s best thriller by both Amazon and Entertainment Weekly and was selected as one of the year’s best books by more than 10 publications. The audio version was also honored as a best of the year, the second time that Robert Petkoff’s narration of Michael’s work has earned such an honor. The novel is currently in production as a major motion picture starring Angelina Jolie, Nicholas Hoult, Tyler Perry, Jon Bernthal and Aidan Gillen and directed by Taylor Sheridan.

Delbert McClinton

Rolling Stone calls him the “Godfather of Americana Music,” and rightfully so. Delbert’s musical style grew from his Texas roots. A little Tejano. A little Bob Wills. Throw in some Jimmy Reed harmonica. Add a splash of Big Joe Turner, and a big band horn section. He has also been nominated for Grammys in the Country category, and has been featured in media from the Los Angeles Times to the Washington Post. He has developed a sound that continues to serve him well, as evidenced by the three Grammy Awards for Contemporary Blues on his mantel.

Born in Lubbock, raised in Fort Worth, and now with homes in Austin, Nashville, and San Miguel de Allende, Delbert recognizes that he has been One Of The Fortunate Few. He grew up with a backstage pass to some of the most significant moments in American culture and music history.

From his early Fort Worth bands, the Straitjackets and the Rondels, to his current band, Self‑Made Men + Dana, he continues to play sold‑out concert halls and dance halls, historical theatres and music festivals across the nation. A major player in several waves of the national surge of Texas music popularity, Delbert has performed multiple times on Saturday Night Live, has been featured on Austin City Limits seven times, as one of the most celebrated guests on the popular series; and appeared on many other national television shows.

His career truly defines Americana music: Delbert’s unique story of American history – with big horns, a strong rhythm section and a hot harmonica lead. To borrow from one of the songs on Tall, Dark & Handsome, whether he’s doing a live show or a recording, you can be assured that Delbert McClinton “don’t leave no chicken on the bone.”

The Wood Brothers

The Wood Brothers are an American roots band consisting of brothers Chris and Oliver Wood, as well as multi-instrumentalist Jano Rix. Their music is a combination of folk, gospel, blues and jazz. Wikipedia

Check out this track from their latest recording — Puff of Smoke

The Wood Brothers have learned to trust their hearts. For the better part of two decades, they’ve cemented their reputation as freethinking songwriters, road warriors, and community builders, creating a catalog of diverse music and a loyal audience who’ve grown alongside them through the years. That evolution continues with Heart is the Hero, the band’s eighth studio album. Recorded analog to 16-track tape, this latest effort finds its three creators embracing the chemistry of their acclaimed live shows by capturing their performances in real-time direct from the studio floor with nary a computer in sight. An acoustic-driven album that electrifies, Heart is the Hero is stocked with songs that target not only the heart, but the head and hips, too.

The video embedded above shows them clever and joyful.

Try a couple of Live videos for more flavor……When I Was Young

and Luckiest Man

A few years back The Wood Brothers’ sixth outing, ‘One Drop of Truth,’ dives headfirst into a deep wellspring of sounds, styles and influences. Whereas their previous outings have often followed a conceptual and sonic through-line, here the long-standing trio featuring brothers Oliver and Chris Wood along with Jano Rix treat each song as if it were its own short film. The plaintive, country-folk of the album’s opening track “River Takes The Town” gives way to the The Band-esque Americana soul of “Happiness Jones.”

They have several new recordings since and continue to create wonderful music and tour the country.

Suzanne Redfearn

Suzanne Redfearn is an award-winning and bestselling American author known for her emotionally resonant and character-driven novels. Before becoming a successful full-time writer, she had a diverse career path that included working as a commercial and residential architect, graphic designer, and copywriter. Her journey to becoming a novelist, which she began in her 30s, was self-taught and motivated by a desire to explore moral themes through fiction. This approach often involves exploring ethical dilemmas with no easy answers, leading to deeply moving and thought-provoking stories.

Redfearn’s writing style is noted for its ability to create heartfelt and emotional narratives, often featuring protagonists facing immense challenges. Readers frequently praise her ability to craft complex characters and build intense plots that keep them engaged. She draws inspiration from real people and relationships, often observing conversations while writing in cafes to capture authentic human experiences. This method helps create stories that feel both realistic and impactful, prompting readers to consider what they might do in similar difficult situations.

Suzanne Redfearn’s novel Call of the Camino is inspired by Redfearn’s own experience walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain. The book explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. The novel was released on October 1, 2025.

2024 – Where Butterflies Wander — The moving story of a family grappling with grief and a woman with the power to help them through it–or stand in their way. (Goodreads) Told uniquely by six characters, each have a voice worth hearing. – Ed.

A 2020 favorite – Hadley & Grace — Two women. Three kids. One unforgettable journey.

One of the characters in the story is based on a special resident of Laguna Beach, Ca. — see article about Skipper Carrillo

Suzanne Redfearn, in addition to being an author, is also an architect specializing in residential and commercial design. She lives in Laguna Beach, California, where she and her husband own two restaurants: Lumberyard and Slice Pizza and Beer.

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real

Lukas Nelson

“In case you didn’t know, Willie Nelson has a son. His name is Lukas Nelson.

Lukas Nelson has long been better known for being the son of a country music legend than for the music he’s made, but that’s changing.

With the release last summer (2023) of their eighth album, “Sticks and Stones,” Nelson and his band, Promise of the Real, are affirming their identity as musicians who can play just about anything, from rock to country.

“I’m discovering more who I am in every album. And this album is completely who I am,” Nelson says in an interview on his website. (Michael Shapiro, The Press Democrat)

D.K. Harrell

D.K. Harrell is a prominent young American blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter known for his soulful vocals, stinging guitar style, and dynamic stage presence. Born in Ruston, Louisiana, in 1998, Harrell was heavily influenced by B.B. King from an early age, learning King’s music, tone, and stage craft by studying concert footage. This dedication led to an invitation to play one of King’s iconic “Lucille” guitars at the B.B. King Symposium in 2019, his first paying gig.

Harrell quickly made a name for himself in the blues world, winning the 2022 B.B. King “King of the Blues” Award and finishing third in the International Blues Challenge. His 2023 debut album, The Right Man on the Little Village Foundation label, received critical acclaim for its 11 original songs and blend of blues, soul, funk, and gospel elements. The album earned him the 2024 Blues Music Award in the “Best Emerging Artist Album” category.

Now signed to the legendary Alligator Records, Harrell released his second album, Talkin’ Heavy, in June 2025. The album, produced by Christoffer “Kid” Andersen, features twelve original tracks that cement his place among the new generation of blues stars, showcasing his ability to bridge traditional blues with a modern, fresh perspective. At just 27 years old, Harrell is hailed as a leading light of the younger generation of blues artists, bringing a vital energy and authenticity to the genre. Known for his magnetic stage presence, dapper tuxedo attire, and engaging interaction with the audience, Harrell is dedicated to preserving the blues while ensuring it resonates with contemporary audiences. He has toured extensively across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, performing at major festivals and captivating audiences with his high-energy, unpredictable live shows. As Blues Blast called him, he is “The fastest-rising talent in the blues today.”

Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Dynamic Duo and Supurb Solo…..don’t miss

The Golden Couple

GREER HENDRICKS

is the coauthor of the New York Times bestseller The Wife Between Us. Prior to becoming a novelist, she spent two decades as an editor at Simon & Schuster. She obtained her master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University, and her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Allure, and Publishers Weekly. She lives in Manhattan with her husband and two children.

Visit Greer Hendricks Site

SARAH PEKKANEN

is the internationally and USA Today bestselling author of eight previous solo novels and the coauthor of the New York Times bestseller The Wife Between Us. A former investigative journalist and award-winning feature writer, she has published work in The Washington Post, USA Today, and many others. She is the mother of three sons and lives just outside Washington, D.C.

Visit Sarah Pekkanen Site

Read: Gone Tonight

Randall Bramblett

Jesup, Georgia native, multi-instrumentalist Randall Bramblett may be known as Southern Rock Royalty for playing on stage with rock heroes like Bonnie Raitt, The Allman Brothers Band, Steve Winwood (16 years), Widespread Panic. And respected for his songwriting – Bettye LaVette, “The Great Lady of Soul” just released an album of 11 of his songs in June 2023. He also penned the title track for the Grammy nominated Blind Boys of Alabama’s album Going Home, adding to a long catalog of songs covered by Raitt, Gregg Allman, Bonnie Bramlett, Hot Tuna, Delbert McClinton and more. But it’s Bramblett’s own career as frontman, creating 12 albums, where his artistry is in full display.

“One of the South’s most lyrical and literate songwriters.” Rolling Stone

“Randall Bramblett is the William Faulkner of Southern music” Hittin’ the Note

“He’s a soulful, poetic badass if ever there was one.” Marc Cohn

The video featured above is an old one, but a favorite song. (ed.) For more recent video click onto his website below.

Joan Osborne

also see: Trigger Hippy

Joan Elizabeth Osborne is an American singer, songwriter, and interpreter of music, having recorded and performed in various popular American musical genres including pop, soul, R&B, blues, and country. She is best known for her recording of the Eric Bazilian song “One of Us”, from her debut album Relish. Wikipedia

Recent Video showing her heart and feeling....Great American Cities

News from her website:

Joan Osborne is back with Nobody Owns You, out today on Womanly Hips Records and produced by Ben Rice (Valerie June, Norah Jones). While the Grammy-nominated singer’s highly praised 2020 release Trouble and Strife took a frank and honest look at our socio-political landscape, Nobody Owns You finds Osborne in a very personal place, contemplating life’s major questions. The introspective collection highlights Osborne’s songwriting prowess, and offers inspiration, optimism and hope, surrounded by a rootsy and deeply soulful sound.

As the writer and co-writer on all twelve new songs, Osborne shares her profound personal beliefs but still has much to say regarding the current climate in the US. The first offering off the album is “Great American Cities,” a rebuttal of right wing TV pundits disparaging America’s urban centers.

Osborne shares, “I go to these cities all the time, and while they have issues like anywhere, they are full of life and energy and creativity and joy. This song came from my desire to celebrate America’s big cities and challenge the disinformation that’s being put out about them.” Listen to Nobody Owns You HERE.

RTA

COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME® AND MUSEUM TO FEATURE JOHN HIATT AS NEXT POETS AND PROPHETS HONOREE