He's got a baritone as comforting as a friend's voice in the middle of the night and an instant hit, "Help Pour Out the Rain (Lacey's Song)." He's spent years singing demo songs that went on to be hits for others. And -- oh, yes -- he pulled in more than two million votes from TV viewers to become America's first "Nashville Star."

And now he has a Clint Black-produced debut that explores his traditional roots and more progressive leanings, dabbling in bluegrass and hot-picking country-rock. With one of the most emotionally satisfying albums of the year, Buddy Jewell is a man whose time has finally come.

SOUND ADVICE: Very good Buddy

-- Alanna Nash