You may think you don’t know Gretchen Peters but I’ll bet you’ve heard her songs. She penned the Martina McBride hit “Independence Day” as well as songs for others, from Etta James to Tricia Yearwood, and damn, can she write songs. Rich with images that favor heartbreak and longing, you’ll want to listen to her songs over and over. Her band is top notch also, usually a full array of piano, guitar, drums and more in a folk-rock vein, but never so much that they overpower the songs. Over all of that is her beautiful voice, as understated as Diana Krall or Karla Bonoff but with a slight drawl.

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