In my effort to bring good music to the masses, I’ve decided to just throw out five great bands that I’m sure most of my readers, if I have any, have never heard of. So here they are, in no order of greatness:

1. Over the Rhine: They’ve been compared to The Cowboy Junkies and 10,000 Maniacs and they’ve toured with Bob Dylan. You’ve heard their songs on Third Watch and Angel, and even heard reference to them on The X-Files. But you’ve never heard of this great ensemble named after a crappy neighborhood in Cincinnati.

2. Havalina Rail Co.: I picked up my first Havalina CD just because they were on Tooth and Nail Records. I found it in the bargain bin at McKays. Shortly after that I made a quick trip to Nashville to see them at RocketTown. I’ve been hooked ever since. Their style varies from record to record, but you’re always promised a treat. Check out Diamond in the Fish and Space Love and Bullfighting.

3. Todd Snider: He’s a hippy. A self described “tree hugging, peace loving, pot smoking, porn watching,lazy ass, hippy, love making, pro choicing, gay wedding, wide spread digging, skin color blinded, conspiracy minded, protester of corporate greed.”? I think that says it all.

4. Mike Knott: You may know him as the front man for LS Underground, LSU, Lifesavers, Cush, or The Aunt Bettys. But you probably don’t know him at all. You can get most of his records on his site, or you can always try eBay. Where you can’t get them is in your local record shop or Christian bookstore.

5. Widespread Panic: While you may have heard of them, or even heard them, you don’t know Panic until you’ve been to a show. The band with the biggest following of those on my list, you’ll need to pre-order tickets no matter how large or small your venue. Don’t even think about getting them at the door.