John Wesley Harding-- Taught me what professionalism is. When everything that could possibly go wrong does, he never forgets that it's not about him... it's about the folks that came in the door to listen.

Randy Newman-- Bitter, cynical and funny as hell. Truthful.

Tom Waits-- Anything goes with Tom. If it sounds good, it is good, even if it's beating on an Igloo cooler with a wooden spoon. Writes the stuff no one else would think to.

Tim Armstrong-- Of Rancid, Operation Ivy... Tim is the master of cool. A great songwriter, horrible (but fascinating) singer, and great producer. Punk doesn't get any better.

Johnny Cash-- has been my hero since I could walk and got me into guitar lessons at age four. I still miss him.

Leonard Cohen-- Nobody is dark like this guy. Not even me. [Linked Image] Sounded like garbage until he turned forty, when his voice finally changed. Rock and roll.

Mahler-- I wish I could write tension like Mahler. I hang on every note.

Tool-- Take the most ***-kickin' rock you've ever heard and freebase it. You'll get Tool. Loud, precise, original, melodic and smart.

Ben Folds-- He writes about the stuff we've all seen, or been through, or try to avoid. He comes across as an old high-school buddy. Besides, no one rocks on the piano anymore.

I'll skip the other hundred... [Linked Image]



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Shandy Lawson

Folk-noir Ballads and Acoustic Brawls
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Shandy Lawson
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