The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
I promise I'm not one of those preachy musicians. I have my opinions, but I'm never going to ignorantly assume that mine are better or somehow more valid than yours. People either agree, or they don't. However, dogs and kitties are another story. I love every single one of them and I hate it when I hear stories about people hurting or abusing them. Animals never deserve to suffer, and it's never their fault. It's people that I'm not so sure about.

Boston Red Sox
It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring when everything else begins again and it blossoms in summer, filling the afternoons and evenings and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone. You count on it. Rely on it to buffer the passage of time, to keep the memory of sunshine and high skies alive and then just when the days are all twilight, when you need it most, it stops. - A. Bartlett Giamatti

Bouse House
The essence of cool. Justin's summer job since he was 14. The odd thing is how much he misses it.

Rodney Brannigan
For most people, it would be enough to be a brilliant guitar player with ONE guitar. However, this freak of nature from Amarillo, TX (I know, I know.) feels it is necessary to play TWO guitars at the same time. When you watch Rodney play, it looks like he has five hands moving in five different directions. Rodney is one of the most humble and helpful guys you will ever meet, so get to a show already!

Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne is probably my single biggest influence and the reason why I first started writing songs. His lyrics are simply the best you're going to find. 56 years old in this picture, this man seems to have literally stopped aging at 30. His 1977 classic, "Running on Empty," should already be in your CD collection. Also, I would highly recommend the 1994 masterpiece "I'm Alive."

Buffalo Tom
"Baby - I've almost grown somehow...I'm in between the coasts...But my mind...My mind must be back in Boston." Indie rock the way it ought to be, long before it was called that. These guys don't play much anymore, but I hear there is talk of a new record in 2005. While I continue to hold my breath, go by their brilliant release "Let Me Come Over." You can probably find it used for like four bucks, so you have no excuse.

President George W. Bush
I'm sorry, but any president who can throw a curveball is cool. We all have our own political opinions and I'm sure that most of the people who like my music would disagree with mine, not to mention Nate Larson and Darren Bergman. Still, we are friends. If human beings never argued about anything, we would never have any fun. The key is to do it politely with respect for the opinions of others.

Counting Crows
My all time favorite band, Adam Duritz's lyrics are beyond comparison. I remember when I was 16, laying on my bed listening to Anna Begins over and over. I still do actually. While it felt like that summer would never end, looking back it seems like it only lasted a few weeks. Those are the best songs though, the songs that literally transport your mind to another time and place. If you don't own "Hard Candy," do yourself a favor. It's perfect.

Evan Dando
I had always wondered if Evan Dando was clinically insane or just pretending. After some intense investigation, I have decided that his insanity is entirely legitimate. Evan has an undeniable charm about him though, and if you're lucky enough to catch a show I would highly recommend you do. The last great baritone vocalist, Evan is one of my biggest influences.

Duck Duck Cheetah
My old friend Nick, from the brilliant Flagstaff band Asia Blonde, has found new partners in crime and is taking over the world. I haven't met his comrades yet, but Nick is the most dedicated and professional musician that I have ever seen. He's also a great guy, and I am a fan of whatever he does. Hopefully we can play some shows with Duck Duck Cheetah sometime soon.

Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff was and continues to be my first true love. It will always be my home, I'm just not living there right now. There's something magical about this city, something spiritual even. As soon as I smell the pine trees, things are better. At 18, I found myself there almost accidentally, I never imagined it would come to define me the way it has. Flagstaff is where I found my own voice, far away from my family and friends back on Cape Cod. Hopefully, I will be able to move back someday.

Juliana Hatfield
I have had a crush on Juliana since high school, and with very good reason. If you have not yet experienced Juliana, immediately go to your nearest record store and buy "God Bless The Blake Babies" by, well, The Blake Babies. You will love it, and you will love Juliana. How could anyone not? Incidentally, Juliana Hatfield is the only woman I've ever seen that looks hot while she's smoking. Rawr.

Todd Hoover
Todd and his new band have it all. Catchy hooks, a steady groove, and a great attitude. What's not to like? Todd has been very helpful and does a lot to support local Phoenix musicians. He's still a little shy and reserved when he sings, but I think that will wear off in time and I think Todd has bright future to say the least. He's truly one of the nicest guys I've met in a long time.

Seth Horan
The unfortunate thing about the ex-Vertical Horizon (and the Village People?) bass player Seth Horan is that you must see him at least three times to truly appreciate his ability. The first two times, you are so focused on Seth's amazing bass playing that his brilliant songwriting goes mostly unnoticed. So, to make up for this, simply buy his record(s). Having said that, do not allow Seth to select a dinner destination, not EVER.

Hydrafonik - Bus Pass Prophets
The Hydrafonik boys are simply awesome, there are no two ways about it. We have had a great time doing shows with them, mixing our very different fan bases but very similar approach to music. They have become more like family now than anything else, and I'm sure that won't change.

Michael Kelsey
Pictured here with Randy Jackson (left) and Steve Vai (center), nothing I can tell you will prepare you for Michael Kelsey. Watching this man play guitar is a life changing experience. A natural entertainer, Michael is funny, engaging and quite simply the most amazing guitar player I have ever seen. While he reminds you of Keller Williams and Michael Hedges, those guys seem sloppy in comparison to Michael Kelsey. His DVD comes out later this year, and if you can't make a show (or even if you can) you owe it to yourself to watch.

Holly Kirsten
There's a certain spark that people either have, or don't have. This girl definitely has it. Guys drool and stutter like fumbling idiots when they watch Holly sing, and I can say that because I'm one of them. Holly is going to have a long and productive career, without question. She's a great person and I couldn't be happier to call her my friend.

Nate Larson
Nate is one of the most talented people that I've ever met, and he's directly responsible for most of my success over the past two years. Literally, he can do just about anything. A great song writer, vocalist, guitarist, bassist, drummer and nudist, Nate has helped me more than I could fully explain and probably more than I'm even aware of. Check out his solo stuff, you'll be hearing it on the radio someday.

Maria Lopez
Someday, people will be saying M-Lo instead of J-Lo. I thought about intentionally disabling this link so I can keep my secret Latin crush all to myself. I reconsidered this cunning plan when I realized that Maria's voice would eventually escape anyway and in the process she would give me one of those "I am REALLY pissed" looks, like Superman doing the heat vision thing. We simply can't have that.

Lost Dog Productions
Now in Nashville, Vinny Constantine is working his magic with acts from all around the United States. Vinny is one of the only people I've met that is even more of an anal bastard than I am, and I can say that with absolute certainty. If you want it to be fast, don't call Vinny. If you want to mess around, don't call Vinny. If you want it done RIGHT, by all means, call Vinny. Tell him to cut his hair.

The Loveblisters
First of all, I did not name this band, nor was I consulted in the naming process. Now that the name issue is out of the way, drop whatever you are doing, click on their link, and IMMEDIATELY order their $5 EP. If you never believe anything else that I say, believe this. This is one of the best indie rock records I've ever heard. Catchy songs, witty lyrics, and changes that take you to Neptune and back before you ever even know you left.

Mercy Fall
Quite possibly the very best hard rock band that I have ever heard, if these guys don't move you then you need to check your pulse. There's something going on with this band that's hard to explain. They have an amazing sort of chemistry when they play, and that's what makes them so much fun. It's like they are literally drawing energy from each other, like some sort of musical vortex. With unmatched talent, ambition and humility, it is only a matter of time.

Jason Mraz
If God had a voice?. Yep. That's all.

New England Patriots
Were it not for these brave men and their otherworldly coach, many New Englanders would have surely withered away in the dreary cold, drinking themselves into oblivion following the bitter disappointment of yet another failed Red Sox season. It's a new experience to be a fan of a professional sports team that is expected to win. I like it.

The Push Stars
The Push Stars are the very definition of what rock n' roll should be, fun music that makes you want to drive fast, make out with your significant other and have a good time. Plus, they dress immaculately and wear shiny shoes. Incidentally, the Push Stars' vocalist, Chris Trapper (pictured above with another of my heroes, Rob Thomas) went to the same high school as Seth Horan. Well Seth, the guitar player from Jimmy Eat World once hit on my girlfriend at the time, so there! Six degrees to Seth Horan?or?something.

Sami
Sami is never boring and always has something to say. She probably knows me as well as anyone ever could, and loves me in spite of all my faults. All of the single men in Denver should watch out, because she's on the prowl and not to be toyed with. Oh, oh, here she comes. She's a man-eater!.

John Sebastian
I had the pleasure of running sound for this guy once, and honestly had no idea who he was until he sang the first few notes of "Do You Believe in Magic." The very next year, I had the pleasure of opening for him at the Orpheum Theatre in Flagstaff and I'm very grateful for that opportunity. John is a class act and a wonderful storyteller. In addition, he was one of the early pioneers of the baritone guitar tunings that I have come to depend on.

Michael Shelton
I met this guy in LA in January of 2004, and immediately knew why I liked him. He's an interesting character, and a single father, which is really saying something these days. He knows a thing or two about playing guitar too, although I must warn you he seems to have a bit of a foot fetish. Luckily, he liked my shoes.

Telescope
With every new Telescope song that I hear, it seems inevitable that I will be unable to sleep for three days. After a single listen, the songs stick in your head like a CD player on an infinite repeat cycle. It seems the only truly effective cure is the NEXT new Telescope song. Thanks guys, you want to kick my dog while you're at it? These guys have deadly hooks and lyrics you'll wish you wrote (at least I do).

=W=eezer
If you don't love Weezer, there is something chemically wrong with you and we suggest you seek immediate cultural relevance along with whatever medicinal treatments the appropriate authorities deem necessary. I'm serious.