LINKS

John Mayer's CD "Room For Squares" is my current pick for the "if you were shipwrecked on a desert island and could only save one CD on your iPod, which one would you want it to be" contest. Superb songwriting, beautiful melodies, rocks out but not too much. I especially love the song Back to You. Playing it loud when I'm alone in my car just makes me feel so good! See www.johnmayer.com.

Meg is a lovely and talented B.C.-based singer-songwriter who is currently promoting her debut CD "Driving With You". It's a smooth blend of country, folk and pop and you should get it! I first met Meg years ago in Toronto when we both played at Fat Albert's and other coffee houses. (She was known as Marg Davey in those days). Visit her site at www.megtennant.com.

They didn't break the mould when they made this man ó they had it bronzed and hung it on God's rear-view mirror as a practical joke. Sam, another Fat Albert's alum, has been tearing up the Toronto folk scene for years with his original no-holds-barred approach to songwriting. He has penned some of the most heart-breakingly lovely lyrics I've ever heard, so you should hear them too. Check out his insane website at www.samlarkin.com.

If you haven't heard Ian North's CD "Emptiful", go directly to his website now and order it! (www.iannorth.com). Another of the Fat Albert's family, Ian's quiet demeanour belies a scathing take on the world, tempered by occasional musings on life in utopia. Look for the song "Beautiful City" on the CD. I swear, it is the most beautiful song you'll ever need to hear. Visit www.iannorth.com.

A handsome cowboy with a lonesome sound, Tom lives in Calgary these days but back in the 80s, he too was a regular (and favourite) performer at Fat's. Now he's writing and playing beautiful country music with his band ("The Men...") and has been achieving great things on the way to country stardom. Order his CDs from his site at www.menofconstantsorrow.com.