Dave Barnes

Born in South Carolina, Barnes grew up in rural Mississippi, first gravitating to the hip-hop popular with his classmates (first CD: Young MC), and then latching on to the soul, blues and soulful rock favored by his Jackson-born mother and Clarksdale-born father. "We listened to so much Motown and old school R&B. That was just completely normal for Dad, growing up in that world. He's told me so many stories of being in Clarksdale, going down to the City Hall and seeing these amazing bands playing."

At first very little was happening, with Barnes cutting his teeth in a 50-capacity room-and drawing just seven people at one point. But just a few years later, after crisscrossing the country and selling vanloads of two independent albums-Brother, Bring The Sun and Chasing Mississippi, the artist had landed songs on television and in films, and was well known to thousands who'd discovered his soulful, supple way with a melody, wrapping itself around a lyric that sneakily burrows under the skin. Those fans include Vince Gill and Amy Grant (who made guest appearances on Chasing Mississippi) and John Mayer, who said on his blog: "Go where this guy is taking you. My man's aim is true!"