Discovered Artist: Jim Lauderdale

Have you ever thought "discovered" an artist that nobody else knows about only to find out it's you who is totally out of touch?

I just did. His name is Jim Lauderdale, he's awesome, and he's been doing it at the highest level since I was a highschooler!

I accidently saw a music video for "If I Were You" last week while at a friend's house for lunch. While channel surfing, we stopped on the video, probably half way into it. I don't remember thinking "man, this is great." I think it was more like "who is that old guy, and is she supposed to be his daughter?" Anyway, I didn't turn away until I saw who the guy who looked like the facilities manager from work was.

I read the name and thought it sounded familiar, but I had no idea why (and still don't).

When I returned to work, I looked him up in the sometimes lacking allmusic.com database. I found that this guy has written for such country music luminaries as George Strait and Vince Gill to name a couple. That's right, I said "written." He's a songwriter and a great one at that. Country artists are few who actually write the music they perform. And just so you don't think he's just a songwriter, he has 13 albums to his credit. And other artists like him, too. He has recorded with Dwight Yoakum and Lucinda Williams among many others.

Okay, I thought. He must "have sumpin'." I found that he's more closely associated with the Bakersfield sound that the Nashville sound. That's good for me because, I really don't like the Nashville sound, or the Nashville look for that matter. He's also worked with bluegrass legend Dr. Ralph Stanley.

At this point, I was sold. Literally. I went out and bought three Jim Lauderdale albums: The Other Sessions, The Hummingbirds and Headed for the Hills.

Article Author: Joe Battista

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