Ten Favorite Southpaw Musicians: John Hiatt (#1)

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It's time to settle down into the left-handed school desk one final time and celebrate my favorite lefthanded musician. I started this in honor of International Lefthanders Day, which was August 13. We're the privileged few to begin with, but the great lefty musicians are a rare breed indeed. Here's my favorite. #1: John Hiatt Probably the only "surprise" here is that he's lefthanded. I personally didn't know that until I met him and got his autograph in 1990. John Hiatt is a survivor. He's survived a lot of personal tragedy (his older brother committed suicide, as well as his second wife) and years trapped inside alcoholism. He's now clean, sober, deliriously happily married (claiming on more than one occasion that all his love songs are inspired by his wife), and one of the most respected and admired songwriters in Americana. I mention this every time his name comes up: you may not know his name, but you do know his songs. From "Sure As I'm Sittin' Here" by Three Dog Night to "Angel Eyes" by Jeff Healy to "Thing Called Love" by Bonnie Raitt to "Icy Blue Heart" by Linda Ronstadt (and, separately, Emmylou Harris), Hiatt's music is loved and covered by countless performers. It's just that he has never caught on with the masses. I'm sure he's not crying all the way to the bank. He's my favorite living songwriter, and second only to Warren Zevon. There's a lot of Zevon in him, too: he has minutely-detailed heartbreak songs, things that'll make you laugh, a lot of death songs (everybody kicks the bucket in "Death By Misadventure")....and a lot of love and optimism that make you feel that, no matter how bad the "muddy waters" are, everything's going to be okay 'cause he loves that girl. Thanks for reading. John Hiatt Born John Robert Hiatt, August 20, 1952, Indianapolis, Indiana (age 65) Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame - 2008 Since I referenced "I Love That Girl" here is one of his great love songs: