Musical acts you love that you figure hardly anyone knows about

Thought this one might be fun, but I have musical tastes that cover a wide swath. So who are the musical acts that appear on your "favorites" list that you figure hardly any of your friends have heard of.

I'll start off with Bob Schneider. The man has a number of albums out there, and each of them has at least 3-4 really good, interesting tracks. He supposedly has written over 700 songs (at last count, a few years ago) and many of them often in one day.

Here's one of the great songs from his "Lovely Creatures" disc released in 2009. It was his 11th solo album then and he's released at least three more since.

I'll add a few other acts later if this thread gets any traction.

 

David Peel and the Lower East Side

 

Leo Kottke

 

John Valby... I think I better not link any songs though.

 

Barns Courtney.

 

1. This is an outstanding thread idea and good on you Tony.
2. I am real old, so I'll pick a really old group. The Incredible String Band.

 

Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown

Sadly passed away shortly after Katrina hit.

First saw him at Rehoboth Beach, then twice at Rams Head in Annapolis and for the last time at Wolf Trap.

 

Phil Collins.

He's a Brit.

 

Can I get two? Would be terrible if I didn't mention Dick Dale, father of surf guitar. Lives in LA of course, but comes East and does bar gigs in Boston area (he's from Quincy) every summer. He's got to be 80 plus, but believe me, he can shred it.

 

People know who Dick Dale is.

 

You can get many more than two if you have them. I'll be adding more, myself.

 

Great. a freebie. Spider John Koener and Willie Murphy. Got a big kiss on the mouth from Grace Slick for delivering Spider John (been sleeping/fucking in the basement of our frat house) in time to be the opening act at the old Music Hall in Boston.