This week, author Christopher Long drops by a Florida east coast thrift joint and scoops up a reasonably clean vinyl copy of Willie and Family Live, the classic 1978 double-live set from Willie Nelson — for just $6.

Outside (Independent). Review by Michelle Wilson.

Gentry Bronson. Review by Robert Sutton.

Miniature Tigers’ bold blending of indie pop with grandiose compositions makes them accessible enough for the casual listener, yet eclectic enough for seasoned critic, Jen Cray.

Topanga (Compass). Review by Carl F Gauze.

Not Broken Yet. Review by Robert M. Sutton.

Happy The Man (United For Opportunity). Review by Andrew Ellis.

Which Way Is Mine (Self-released). Review by Kyrby Raine.

I’m Not There: Original Soundtrack (Sony Records). Review by Matthew Moyer.

Austrailia’s answer to Paul Simon and Jack Johnson, one man band folk artist Xavier Rudd , brought his melodic spin on world music to Orlando. Jen Cray was just one amongst many who packed into The Social to witness the event.

Rocket (Self-released). Review by Andrew Ellis.

It was a Dashboard Confessional weekend at Orlando’s House of Blues, with three consecutive sold-out shows. Jen Cray gave it a chance.

At The Point (High Wire). Review by Andrew Ellis.

Where Have You Been (Collectable Escalators). Review by Tim Wardyn.

Mary Had A Little Amp (Epic). Review by Ben Varkentine.

Beneath These Fireworks (Universal). Review by Andrew Ellis.

Beneath These Fireworks (Universal). Review by Andrew Ellis.

Heavier Things (Aware). Review by Sean Slone.

Even for the likes of the mega-successful John Mayer or David Gray, being a singer songwriter is a sometimes lonely, often difficult vocation and it’s even harder as an independent artist. Andrew Ellis finds out about life as a solo artist at the other end of the spectrum with Atlanta-based Chuck Carrier.