Shelby Lynne

"Every bit of my life is in my songs," singer-songwriter Shelby Lynne once told Scene. "It's easy to write them. I just write about what I know in my own life, and I don't have a problem with that." And the musician has plenty to mine. Her daddy was an alcoholic who eventually killed her mom and shot himself, leaving Lynne to care for her sister Allison Moorer (also a musician). But her music doesn't wallow in the tragedy of life; rather she brings light to existence. On last year's Not Dark Yet, the Grammy winner teamed up with her sister Moorer for the first time. The album features mostly covers of acts like Merle Haggard, Bob Dylan and Nirvana, but the one stunning original "Is It Too Much," is what you want to start with. Unfortunately, Lynne's Kent performance tonight won't include her sister, but she'll be there in spirit. (Laura Morrison)