To say Mary Gauthier is an original is like saying the clouds are white and the sky is blue. She is a force of nature. Smart, earthy, telling it like it is, she writes songs from her journey with a sense of introspection that can be frightening and pure. I had the pleasure of playing her some of my songs last summer when she was a guest instructor at the Americana Songwriter's Camp the week before the Sister Folk Festival . I was lucky to get a session with her... she was that much in demand. We connected both as songwriters and as fellow New Orleanians. Also her new book, Saved By A Song, is insightful and a must read. She is constantly touring -- hope she comes back this way soon.