Watermelon Wednesdays 2013 - Tim O'Brien 

In Tim O'Brien's music, things come together. The uncanny intersection of traditional and contemporary elements in his songwriting, his tireless dedication to a vast and still-expanding array of instruments, and his ongoing commitment to place himself in as many unique and challenging musical scenarios as possible has made him a key figure in today's thriving roots music scene and well beyond it. O'Brien's presence be it as a bandleader, songwriter, mentor, instrumentalist, or vocalist has been strongly felt not only in his own rich music, but in the many recordings of his songs by such artists as the Dixie Chicks, Garth Brooks, Dierks Bentley, Nickel Creek, Kathy Mattea, the New Grass Revival, and the Seldom Scene, and in his recorded collaborations with Steve Martin, the Chieftains, and innumerable others. Tim's album Fiddler's Green won the 2005 Grammy for best traditional folk album. He's twice been voted best male vocalist by the International Bluegrass Mucis Association. His band, Hot Rize, won the IBMA's best band award.