The Magnetic Fields are a band, but in many ways they are simply the extension of Stephin Merrit. As well as a multi-instrumentalist, Merritt writes, produces, and sings their material.

After winning "The Last Band Standing" competition at The Double Door in Chicago, The Melismatics got back to work and are currently touring to support their latest album "The Acid Test."

Dave Stoddard says he wrote his first song on piano in kindergarten. Hearing him play, you could buy that, but knowing him, you might think he's pulling your leg.

Jamie Lidell's mother sang professionally with different orchestras, so it's no coincidence that this guy can hold his own as a singer. After playing in the bands Subhead and Super Collider, he's released a number of solo records including his most recent "Another Day."

What does it take to break into the music industry as a singer-songwriter? It helps to have friends in the business. It also helps, a lot, to be good at your craft. Luckily, for Aaron Espe, he could check off both of those necessities.

After hearing Stephen Stills' "Tree Top Flyer" on the radio, Ray LaMontagne made up his mind on the spot to become a singer and musician. By the summer of 1999 he had a ten-song demo tape and a publishing deal with Chrysalis Music Publishing. His debut album "Trouble" has been referred to "quietly devastating meditations on life and love."

In her nearly twenty years on the music scene, Ani DiFranco has become a dynamic independent force. She's touring to support her latest album, the 2008 release "Red Letter Year."

In 2001, after six years with Chicago funk bank, Bumpus, singer/songwriter Rachael Yamagata decided to go solo. Now, one album and three EPs later, she's releasing a new double-disc album entitled, "Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart."

Beck, whose career launched in 1994 in Los Angeles after his hit song "Loser" was played on the radio, has developed a career that continues to shape and influence music as much today as it did when he began.

It's hard to nail down a typical Pete Morton show because you get a little bit of everything. Pete admits he's a news junkie, and a lot of his material is based on current events and world politics. However, he's just as capable of misting up the eyes of the audience with a love song.