World Cafe

When you're one of the best guitarists in Nashville, you've achieved something of a legendary status in the music world — and that's exactly what Buddy Miller has done. The singer-songwriter has produced, written, recorded and played so much great music, Steve Earle and Emmylou Harris call him one of the greatest musicians alive.

For more than three decades, Steve Earle has helped define modern country music. At the dawn of his career, Earle helped bring about the term "new country," and has been relentlessly touring and recording ever since.

The Joy Formidable is rooted in a childhood friendship. This trio from Northern Wales started to grow when Ritzy Bryan (vocals, guitar) and Rhydian Dafydd (bass, vocals) began to work together in bands. As a duo, they honed their knack for pop hooks and textured backgrounds; drummer Matthew Thomas joined when Bryan and Dafydd moved to London. Thomas added some high-energy metal chops to The Joy Formidable's pop anthems.

As son of Paul McCartney, the former Beatle and one of the most commercially successful songwriters of all time, it should come as no surprise that James McCartney has the music in him. The singer, songwriter and sculptor has been involved with his father's career for some time, contributing to solo albums and even accompanying Sir Paul on tour.

Formed in 1989, Over The Rhine features a married couple — bassist/pianist Linford Detweiler and classically trained lead singer Karin Bergquist. The band developed considerable popularity in its hometown of Cincinnati early on, an impressive feat considering how uncategorizable its music is (Detweiler and Bergquist call it "post-nuclear, pseudo alternative, folk-tinged art-pop")