The Avett Brothers, Lucinda Williams, The Waifs

Lucinda Williams
The object of cultish adoration for years, singer/songwriter Lucinda Williams was universally hailed as a major talent by both critics and fellow musicians, but it took quite some time for her to parlay that respect into a measure of attention from the general public.

The Waifs
Originally performing Bob Dylan covers in and around bars in their native Australia, the sister duo of Vicki and Donna Simpson were known as COLOURS. Formed in 1992 and touring constantly in their homeland, the pair hooked up with Josh Cunningham during a stop in August 1992.

The Avett Brothers
North Carolina's Avett Brothers play acoustic music that has roots in traditional folk and bluegrass, but also captures the high spirits and no-boundaries attitude of rock & roll -- which is appropriate, since rock is where Scott Avett and Seth Avett cut their teeth as musicians.