John Hiatt Tribute Coming 5/13

IT'LL COME TO YOU, THE SONGS OF JOHN HIATT SLATED FOR MAY 13 RELEASE ON VANGUARD RECORDS

-Tribute features three newly recorded tracks from Buddy & Julie Miller, Patty Griffin and Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise-

SANTA MONICA, CA - With an extraordinary career that spans over 25 years and 19 albums, John Hiatt is an engaging performer and universally admired songwriter. His songwriting craft has been recognized with Grammy nominations, songwriting awards and embraced by blues, rock, country and folk artists alike. To date, more than 50 different artists have recorded Hiatt's songs. It'll Come To You, The Songs of John Hiatt, slated for a May 13 release on Vanguard Records, brings together, for the first time, some of the greatest and most well-known versions of his songs.

Two years in the making, Hiatt personally selected the 10 previously released songs, which include cuts by Eric Clapton and B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Buddy Guy, Linda Ronstadt, Rodney Crowell, Rosanne Cash, Nick Lowe and Freddy Fender. Three new recordings are also featured: Patty Griffin's beautifully stark 'Take It Down,' Buddy and Julie Miller's drawling, stomping version of 'Paper Thin,' and the ultra funky 'It'll Come To You' from Robert Bradley¹s Blackwater Surprise.

'I catch myself wondering what John was like as a kid when I listen to him sometimes,' say Patty Griffin. 'You hear so many different influences, and he's an expert at them all. Sure sounds like he loves music. Mostly though, I think he's an expert at getting the real stuff in there - tears, laughter, confusion, joy, loneliness - all that and more in a style that makes you feel like you just had the most amazing time hanging out with one of your best friends.'

An Indianapolis native, John Hiatt began writing songs at the age of 12. With an initial ambition of becoming a professional country songwriter, he moved to Nashville in the 1970s and signed with Tree Publishing. His first recording was from blues rockers Tracy Nelson and Mother Earth, who chose 'Thinking of You' for their 1972 album. After a stint with the rock band White Duck, Hiatt began a solo career in 1974. His first release was Hangin Around the Observatory (Epic), which featured 'Sure As I'm Sittin' Here.' The song later became a hit for Three Dog Night.

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