Jimmy Buffett has long been an influence for me as well as other office-goers who dreamed of better things than working for a living. Recent years have seen Buffett's face turning up at his ever-growing string of restaurants across the globe, his soon-to-open Las Vegas resort, and a few albums that fans have ratcheted up the charts despite their lack of radio-friendly tunes. Buffett's sphere of influence over the country music world in which he began also has peaked with his recent CMA-winning and record-setting chart topper duet with Alan Jackson "It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere." Buffett's notoriety is nothing short of a franchise built on blood, sweat, and beer.

Buffett hasn't always been the global sensation that he is today. Until the 1990s, it appeared his better days were in the 1970s along with most of his appeal. During the 1980s, he recorded many songs that would be classics, but radio stations weren't playing them as they had in the prior decade. Record sales too dipped as the generation more acclimated to video games than folk music turned their attention elsewhere. In 1985, a greatest hits collection called Songs You Know By Heart was released mostly in hopes of squeezing a few more bucks from an artist known to many and loved by more. To much surprise, the album launched what became a second-wind for the troubador and by the late 1980s his concerts had become one-night vacations for daydreamers everywhere.

Today, Buffett helms the enterprise with great business acumen and a loose public persona--something difficult to do by any standards. His sellout crowds purchase increasingly-expensive tickets to the extravagant shows, logowear by the truckload, and cling to anything remotely-related to the iconic singer. While he sings at night about the laisez-faire tropical life, his empire is a result of tremendous marketing and fantastic brand-awareness. It's a remarkable combination of two generally opposing lifestyles.

Buffett has yet to hit full stride however. With recent country hits giving a wink-wink gesture toward Buffett's musical influence, Jimmy is returning to the Nashville sound he perfected in the 1970s and to which many of his fans cling to with the recording of his new album Conchy Tonk. Capitalizing on his recent success with Alan Jackson and his Nashville-outsider view, the alternative country and mainstream country worlds are set on a collision course that Buffett himself helped create. As a bystander, I believe that this album may be the perfect blend of the oft-competing genres and a watershed moment in country history to boot. With any love or luck, Buffett's next album may indeed be the crowning achievement of an already legendary musical and business career.

To quote Todd Snider, as I often do, "everyone has days like I've been having."

Today I'm in need of some perspective on life and like many other times, I return to Todd Snider's music. Sometimes I drive down the highway listening to his words with the windows down enjoying the sunshine. Others, like today, I find myself a helpful compatriot on my stereo who has faced many of the same trials that I confront. He's a kindred spirit with the same look on the world that I would like to have. His music speaks to me.

While today I have found solace in his music for what has been a trying experience, I hope that he has found the courage to meet the day and his challenges. In his world I hope he knows so many of us turn to him for a little fun or perspective. As he faces his challenges perhaps he can find a little of the same thing in us.

For anyone listening I really would like to have Johnny Cash's Unearthed for Christmas. The just-released box set features five discs of his work with Rick Rubin. The songs range from hits from the American recordings, to outtakes and alternative versions. Knowing that Rubin and Cash recorded hordes of material and only the best made it to the award-winning series of albums, these recordings hopefully offer an insight into the process that forged the best work of Cash's career.

Santa...be good to me!

In this month's issue of Blender, Ryan Adams proclaims once and for all that alt.country is long-forgotten part of his past. In the article Adams insinuates that the genre which gave him his break never was his cup of tea. He mentions that anyone intoxicated enough can make it in Americana. While staggering among his empty liquor bottles and recently-used paraphenalia, his rants made his feelings about his early music clear.

Adams has always walked the line and shouted his usually mindless rants while doing so. This time he's gone too far. Among his acquaintances, whose names he drops quite freely, he certainly does not stand out--not enough to be as pompous as he's become. His tired battle-cry of "I'm a rock star!" is falling on deaf ears because his music is not as daring as he would think. His work with Whiskeytown was far more of a risk than anything with his name on cover. Then again, musica risks don't usually make it to mainstream radio and I've heard plenty Ryan Adams recently. In the end, his little tirades will be another shenanigan everyone remembers while his recent work will be among the used-CD bargain bins at your local music store. We may remember him as Parker Posey's ex-boyfriend: "What was his name? Oh god, the one with the dirty jeans. You know the angry one. Shit! Anyway, have you seen those new Tommy shirts?!? Oh my God!"

Just my two cents.

As I sit here and listen to Todd Snider's "Step Right Up" I am utterly astonished that more people didn't buy this CD. His second MCA release was deeper and a little less of a novelty than his breakout "Songs from the Daily Planet." Yet the songs from the later effort say so much. It's clearly an effort that spans his rocking alter ego and his deep-seeded desire to be the Dylan of my generation. Perhaps if we weren't so caught up in the dot-com boom and the over-produced crap that polluted the airwaves he would have been the voice we all were looking for. The arrangements are simple and give a knowing nod to the Memphis sound that permeates the later-released "New Connection" while sitting in a big pile of Tom Petty and Neil Young inspired rock. It's a perfect throwback album.

I'll probably dig up "Viva Satellite" next since I'm on a Snider kick. I could listen to this guy every day--usually do and I never get tired of it.

Todd Snider is a hell of a musician and a nice guy. He's on my mind today for lots of reasons I don't have to nor shall I discuss. Being at a loss for words I can only relate a little observation I have of the man.

I've met Todd several times all of which I'm sure I've thoroughly stumbled over myself in his presence. Once upon a time he even picked one of my reviews to run on his own website. His kindness lead to my work getting picked up by others such as Kris Kristofferson and interviews with folks like Will Kimbrough. Needless to say however, Todd has lots of people much closer to him than I am yet every time we talk he treats me like someone he knows well. He usually laughs at my wife's quirky nature and each time we part he tells me it was good to see me again--just for a second I wonder if he remembers me. He may not but it sure is great of him to treat me as if he does.

The humility and kindness with which he leads his life is unusual.

To Todd and and his lovely wife Melita: we think of you often and the challenge you face is one we know you'll overcome.

Last night in Dade City, FL Todd Snider rolled into the Riverhawk Rhythm Festival about 15 minutes before the show was scheduled to start. With a smile on his face and a look of newfound focus he took the stage for his first of two sets at 7:00 PM. The set was filled with his more introspective work including a stirring rendition of "Horseshoe Lake" that set the tone. Throughout the set the empty chairs that had littered the main stage seating area all day were filled and it quickly became a standing-room only affair. He told a few stories including his childhood memory of D.B. Cooper's leap from the plane. The set finished at the moment of the lunar eclipse with "Waco Moon" which ran right into "Georgia on a Fast Train." To say it was a chilling finish to the first hour would be an understatement.

The second set took place at a smaller venue the festival had setup. It was quite intimate and once again was packed with people standing outside the shelter to hear Todd play. The set focused on fan favorites and included a funny moment when he forgot the lyrics to "Seattle Grunge Blues" to which he commented that "you'd think I'd know the words to this one." The crowd was also treated to his new song--"Iron Mike's Main Main's Last Stand." He ended the night with "You Can't Always Get What You Want" and a standing ovation.

The end of the night was quite a letdown because as the crowd chanted for more and Todd eagerly waited the festival's stage manager denied our wishes. Todd reluctantly smiled waived and went off stage to quite a few sad faces.

Todd looked and sounded terrific with probably the most crisp live performance I've ever seen him give. The first set was poignant and heartfelt and the second was simply a blast. He was in great spirits and seemed extremely focused. It was a show I know I'll always remember.

Getting a day off is rare so my time is precious. Today I plan on seeking out a copy of Todd Snider's "Step Right Up" in preparations for seeing him tomorrow night in Dade City. It will be a good show with Todd appearing twice in the course of the evening. I hope to catch up with him for a few minutes to hear about his recent musings.

I hope to do a bit of driving around aimlessly today so I can listen to a few new tunes. As I've previously noted, Chris Knight's The Jealous Kind and Robert Earl Keen's Farm Fresh Onions are in steady rotation on the iPod. Also, Ry Cooder's classic Into the Purple Valley, Will Kimbrough's Godsend, the Jayhawks' Rainy Day Music, and Adrienne Young's Plow to the End of the Row have been steady favorites. Given those fine tunes I could drive all day and not hear them all.

Hope your Friday is as good as mine!

It's time to evangelize again. Todd Snider returns to Florida on November 8th in Dade City. For those of you who don't know Snider's work he's the best thing since Jimmy Buffett, John Prine, and Jerry Jeff Walker. A barefoot gypsy poet, Snider is a native Oregonian with a wandering heart and plenty of songs from the last fifteen years of being lost. Aside fromt the funny stories, his songwriting is among the poignant and personal of our generation. I can promise that a Snider show will be the highlight of your musical year if you're fortunate enough to catch it.

It also happens that our pal Todd is performing at the Riverhawk Rhythm Festival which includes Fred Eaglesmith. It should be a good time so get your tickets here. See you soon!