The Raconteurs are made up of four old friends. While Brendan Benson, Jack White, Patrick Keeler and Jack Lawrence have all known each other since meeting in the late ‘90s on the underground Detroit garage circuit, it took an unfinished lyric by Benson in the summer of 2004 for them to coalesce as a band. That lyric (“find yourself a girl/and settle down/live a simple live/in a quiet town”) once completed by White (“Steady as she goes”) while Lawrence and Keeler were nearby (ready to drop some serious bass and percussion backing respectively) was the birth of the Raconteurs. Their songs are perfect modern approximations of classic rock. Revel in the glory. Website

Free-spirited, fearless and fierce, Sheryl Crow has garnered nine Grammys, performed duets with musical luminaries such as Sting and Mick Jagger, released seven studio albums which sold more than 35 million records worldwide, saw the launch of her very own clothing line Bootheel Trading Co., is a cancer survivor and passionate humanitarian and has performed for President Obama! From humble beginnings as a jingle and back-up singer, Crow has reached the pinnacle of professional solo success.

This year Crow unveiled her soul stylings on her seventh studio set 100 Miles From Memphis. Growing up in Kennett, Missouri, 100 miles from Memphis, Crow grew up listening to the irresistible soul sounds on the radio coming out of Memphis in the late 60s; Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Booker T, Aretha Franklin and early 70s; Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Sly Stone and Aretha Franklin, all of which shaped the artist Sheryl Crow is today.

Crow is a passionate supporter of a variety of environmental and health-related charities, including The NRDC, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and The World Food Program. This year saw the opening of the Sheryl Crow Imaging Center in the Pink Lotus Breast Center in Los Angeles. Website

For 20 years, Dunn was extremely proud and thankful to be a big part of the single most successful duo in country music history -- and one of the most popular performing acts in recent music history. Brooks & Dunn's remarkable rocket ride would ultimately result is more than 30 million albums sold, countless crowd-pleasing stadium and arena shows and multiple CMA Awards, ACM Awards, GRAMMYs, CMT Awards, People's Choice Awards, Billboard Music Awards and American Music Awards.

So when Brooks & Dunn decided to hang up their boots while they were still on top -- ultimately playing their very last show together on September 2, 2010, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. -- Dunn finally had the time to call upon all his skills as one of music's finest voices and storytellers to tell his own story in a way he's never done before with the creation of his first solo album, Ronnie Dunn. Website

When you think of “grassroots” and “down to Earth,” you don’t normally think of a movie star. You especially don't think of a movie star the caliber of Jeff Daniels. Yet that is exactly what Jeff has accomplished with his second CD Grandfather’s Hat. With the follow-up album to Live and Unplugged, Daniels has proven that he is not an actor who sings, but an accomplished singer/songwriter whose musical talent does not require the support of his acting. Further proof of his talent is supported by the musicians Daniels has performed with over the last couple of years. Although it took him some time to feel comfortable on stage behind his guitar, Daniels’ confidence has matured with his songwriter, being invited on stage to perform a few songs with legends Lyle Lovett, John Haitt, and Guy Clark during their rare “Songwriters” tour. Having his pal Keb Mo’ join Jeff on stage was equally rewarding (Jeff calls it a “free guitar lesson”). From time to time he’s also been fortunate to expand his shows to sold out venues outside of the Midwest.

Grandfather’s Hat showcases Daniels’ range as a songwriter, from the laugh-out-loud humor of “Have a Good Life (Then Die)” to the quiet and poignant lyrics of “Middle of the Night.” His honest, sincere, and relatable approach to the songs on the CD remind us of our own lives, hopes, and dreams.

A Michigan-native, Daniels never forgets his roots. The rowdy rendition of “Detroit Train” with guest artist Alto Reed; saxophonist with Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band, is a fun, energetic, rock and roll tribute to the city that bares its name. On Live and Unplugged, “The Lifelong Tiger Fan Blues” was a lament to the team with the second worst season in baseball history. On Grandfather’s Hat, Jeff had the rare opportunity to rewrite the lyrics (“The Lifelong Tiger Fan Blues, Revisited”) as an ode to the almost-World-Series-Champion team, reinforcing again his love of all things Michigan.

Fans of Jeff’s popular original stage play and independent feature film Escanaba in da Moonlight have eagerly awaited the musical tribute to the subject, and he delivers, with “The Ballad of the Buckless Yooper.” Teaming up with the energetic foursome Steppin’ In It, he spins the folk tale of Ruben Soady, the only man in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula never to bag a buck.

Grandfather’s Hat is an evolution of a career in motion. What started out as a means of raising money for the equity theatre he founded (The Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea, Michigan) has become a back road journey that taps into the storyteller’s head. But now it has a melody, as well as a story to tell. And if you happen to find your foot tapping along, then that would be just fine. Website

Mark Farner is the engine that took the original Grand Funk Railroad, one of rock music's most successful groups, to the top of the charts. As their lead vocalist, lead guitarist and principle songwriter the group made a beeline to rock stardom following their show-stealing performance before 180,000 people at the Atlanta International Pop Festival in 1969.

Even after 40 years on the road, a magical transformation takes place when Mark Farner, steps on stage. When performing, he's the consummate professional rocker who has lost none of his chops. His voice is still clear, strong and on key, his guitar playing slick and lightening quick and his trademark prancing still that of a spring chicken.

The critically acclaimed 2006 album For The People – Mark Farner The Rock Patriot, is no cliché. It's powerful pop, political -- pure Mark Farner Funk, rivaling his best recordings. It convincingly demonstrates that Mark has lost none of his vocal vibrato or virtuosity as a guitarist or songwriter. Forty years after Mark Farner was star struck with overwhelming success, with 30 million records sold (12 RIAA Certified Platinum and 15 Certified Gold albums), Mark Farner's train keeps a rollin'. Website

William S. Levise, Jr., better known by his stage name, Mitch Ryder, is an American musician who has recorded over two dozen albums in more than four decades. Ryder is noted for his gruff, wailing singing style, much influenced by Little Richard, and his dynamic stage performances, influenced by James Brown. As a teen, Ryder sang backup in a black soul group known as the Peps, but racial animosities interfered with his continued presence in the group.

Ryder appeared fronting a band called Billy Lee & The Rivieras, which had limited success until they met the songwriter / record producer, Bob Crewe. Crewe renamed the group Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, and they recorded several hit records on his DynoVoice Records label in the mid to late 1960s, most notably "Devil with a Blue Dress On", their highest-charting single at #4, as well as "Sock It to Me-Baby!", a #6 hit in 1967, and "Jenny Take a Ride!", which reached #10 in 1965.

Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels were inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame in 2005.

When Ben Daniels decided he was going to be a musician, it was more than a career choice. A natural poet, this young songwriter went to school on Bob Dylan, Robert Johnson, and Jack White, among others. His lyrics speak directly to a younger generation that hears, sees, and thinks about the very things he’s writing. From their opening song to the finale of their set, the Ben Daniels Band cuts through with their originality, musicianship, and a sound that spans blues, reggae, hip hop, and even jazz.

BDB has played throughout Michigan, as well as Nashville and New York City. As a solo artist, Ben has stepped on the stage in Austin, TX at the Cactus Cafe, as well as The Barns at Wolf Trap. He has even sang at the grave of legendary bluesman Robert Johnson in Greenwood, Mississippi. The son of actor Jeff Daniels, he has quietly monitored what it takes to live life as an artist. Beyond a passed down talent, the Ben Daniels Band believes in hard work, perseverance, and creatively challenging themselves and their audience.

With George Merkel on guitar, Tommy Reifel on bass, Rick Hale on drums, and Wesley Fritzemeier on fiddle/trumpet/keyboard/spoons, BDB’s live show never fails to take over the venue. Their songs become anthems with arrangements that pull people inside their sound. With five CDs under their belts - Coming From The C, Checkin’ In To The Michigan Inn, Can't You See, The Mountain Home EP, and their dual album & movie release Old Gold - the Ben Daniels Band is gettin' serious. Website

The Romantics are an American New Wave band from Detroit, Michigan, that adopted its moniker because it officially formed on Valentine's Day 1977. The Romantics achieved moderate popularity during the first half of the 1980s on the strength of the band's catchy, energetic songs and stylish, memorable music videos. Influenced by 1960s British Invasion rock (most notably the music of the Kinks, the Who, the Beatles, the Hollies, and the Rolling Stones), The Romantics play a more power pop/pop rock-oriented variation of punk rock known as pop punk. Website

The Rockets are an American rock band founded by guitarist Jimmy McCarty and drummer Johnny "Bee" Badanjek, both former members of the group Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels. Vocals and drums were handled by Badanjek, McCarty was on lead guitar, John Fraga was on bass and Marc Marcano was on keyboards. Johnny Bee was the driving force and primary songwriter for the Rockets.

The Rockets made five studio albums, producing several minor hits including a rocking rendition of Fleetwood Mac's "Oh Well".

On April 16, 2010, The Rockets were honored at the Detroit Music Awards with the Distinguished Achievement Award. On July 2, 2010, the Rockets played their first official reunion show at the Stars and Stripes festival in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, in front of 10,000 fans.

If one of the marks of a great performer is the ability to combine the ordinary and the extraordinary, then Ty Stone—a powerhouse singer in an unprettified package—is as true an entertainer as they come.

The Detroit native motors onto the music scene with American Style, his Top Dog/Atlantic Records debut, which was executive produced by close pal Kid Rock. And, as the title suggests, you won't be mistaking Stone for a Brit or Aussie or anything other than the product of a very homegrown hybrid sensibility. Don't let the fact that he's from Detroit dissuade you from thinking he's a country rocker through and through. There's long been a musical bullet train running directly from northern Michigan to the deepest South, and Stone has been riding it his entire life. Website

Whitey Morgan and the 78's are a honky tonk country band based in Flint, Michigan. In 2010 they signed a recording contract with Chicago-based Bloodshot Records. Emerging from the Detroit area music scene, re-creating a forgotten genre for the area, Whitey Morgan and the 78's have toured the country spreading their sound and attitude everywhere they go. They play honky tonk tunes in any club in any town without apology—they drive their point home just like their families drove the cars they built on the line home from work. With a purpose. Website

Jake and Jamin Orrall, aka JEFF The Brotherhood, are seen by many to be latter-day pioneers of the Nashville rock scene, but they see themselves as brothers who can't remember not playing music together for fun. Their family-owned, vinyl-centered record label, Infinity Cat Recordings, has been a pillar of support for Nashville bands since 2002 (with 60 releases to date) and was named “Nashville's Best Record Label 2010" by the Nashville Scene. But their first love has always been the Brotherhood known as JEFF.

Known for their relentless touring and their "we'll play anywhere" mentality, they have built a reputation for stripping rock music down to it's basics, and delivering mind-bending live shows with Jamin's three drums and three cymbals and Jake's three-string guitar and ferocious vocals.  JEFF The Brotherhood's work ethic practically defines D.I.Y., from their simple but compelling videos to their self-produced and critically acclaimed albums, EP's and singles.

The band clocked in over 230 shows in the past year and received critical acclaim for their Heavy Days album from the likes of Brooklyn Vegan, Spin, Nylon, Village Voice, the New Yorker, KEXP, Maximum Rock n' Roll, and MANY more.  Now, JEFF is ready for 2011 (or as Nashville's Dead calls it "the year of the Brotherhood") with their finest album to date, We Are The Champions.

Recorded by Roger Moutenot (Yo La Tengo, Sleater Kinney, Velvet Underground ), the self-produced album takes their music to new heights, while continuing to dig into what Spin calls "the sweet spot between punk and hard rock."  Their ultimately indefinable music has been described as psychedelic, classic rock, kraut-punk, garage pop, monster metal, scrungy, filthy, fizzy and fresh.

Out of Detroit, Black Milk is one of the most vital hip hop artist around. More than just an MC, Milk is brilliant producer who’s worked with hip hop notables from J Dilla, Slum Village, and Lloyd Banks to his recent collaborative work with Sean Price and Guilty Simpson in Random Axe.

Black Milk’s live shows are high-energy old school showmanship affairs, as evidenced by his recent “Live At Third Man Records” LP recorded with a full live band in Nashville at Third Man Records. Website

Pujol was raised in Tullahoma, TN where he lived in a haunted house which sat one block away from the wrong side of the tracks.  He spent his formative years scribbling on walls, shredding behind closed doors, and riding around in cars with older kids.  He took his first communion at 13 and secretly drank his first beer shortly thereafter in St. Cecilia's bathroom, emerging an identity-inclusive Peter Panentheist.

When asked at the tender age of 4 what he wanted to be when he grew up, he responded, "Naked."  While Pujol has yet to achieve this particular goal he has made good on several other promises, becoming an accomplished musician, author, and songwriter.  He has even dabbled in theatre, playing The Robot in a high school production of The Canterbury Tales. He is also a prominent social critic, shreditorialist, unlicensed metaphysician, and polymathmagician. Some journalists have called Pujol the Philosopher King of the Nashville scene, and while he shies away from such lofty titles and burning windmills, he totally digs the literary allusion, as does his moms.

Pujol, has been and remains one of the most interesting artists churning out pop hooks and crafty rock and roll music out of Nashville today.

Nashville’s garage rock daughters of the Southern Gothic tradition, The Black Belles draw their influences from teenage bands playing their souls out in their parent’s basements worldwide; from the 1960’s to the now. Raw, brash, mysterious and resolutely independent, The Black Belles are an imposing and alluring force in new music. Read the blood sign on the wall and be warned. The Black Belles take no prisoners. Website