Though Todd Snider‘s roots trace back to Portland, Ore., his music recalls headstrong Southern styles from Austin, Houston and Atlanta. With more than 10 albums under his belt, Snider continues to exude wit and optimism.

After moving to Memphis in the 1980s, Snider became a local favorite and later signed to Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Records. Upon the release of Snider’s debut album, 1994’s Songs for the Daily Planet, his sharp wit and satirical lyrics gained him recognition for the minor hit “Talkin’ Seattle Grunge Rock Blues,” a punchy alt-rock tune that earned him comparisons to Lyle Lovett and Jerry Jeff Walker. By the time Snider released his third album, Viva Satellite, his blend of bluegrass, blues, folk-rock and country was instantly recognizable. Pairing cheerful storytelling with political commentary and a bluesy rock style, his latest record (The Excitement Plan) finds rays of hope in a time of struggle.