Modern Balladeers?

[bswann41]

So, for an English project due next week I have to find someone who's considered a "modern day balladeer" and write a 3-5 page paper. Its actually a pretty sweet topic but I'm dealing with some pretty nasty writer's block right now. The criteria for a balladeer is someone who 1. writes his/her own songs 2. has a bulk of the music be a story. 3. performs his/her own music. The paper has to include a brief biography, earlier influences on his/her life which made ballads a powerful force in the writing, the primary message of the music, and an analysis of the lyrics of one song. Anyone who comes to your minds while reading this would be much appreciated, I've been drawing blanks for a while. thankss

[ForeverDelayed]

Modern or contemporary?

I can't think of many contemporary singer/songwriters that I think would fit that description too well, but the obvious answer if we're just talking "modern" as in the past 50 years or so would be Bob Dylan.

[rockstargallery]

How about Jeff Buckley? or Bernard Fanning?

[ForeverDelayed]

I dunno if I'd count Buckley... because a lot of his best known songs are covers, and it sounds like he's looking for someone who did pretty much all original songs.

[rockstargallery]

Josh Joplin would be another way to go.

[Tony Pascarella]

Define modern-day. Springsteen? He's still active.

[Here It Goes]

Ooh ooh Johnny Rzeznik. All the emo kids will hate you and every soccer mom will cream themselves. Or Bon Jovi! Even trashier!