Jack Johnson, Mason Jennings, Money Mark

Soft-spoken, mellow, and always a genuinely nice guy, Jack Johnson is a refreshing change of pace from the typical celebrity. His music and his demeanor bring us to a time long gone where entertainment was an art form; not a publicity stunt. Where other performers were interested in being famous merely to be famous, Jack Johnson only wanted to sing. Where other celebrities only cared about the almighty dollar or the advertisement deal, Johnson remained true to himself.

Regardless of his attitude, his music is truly inspiring on multiple levels. I, like many cynics, did not believe myself capable of liking a tune such as his. If you're like myself, you've grown up in an era of Disney-produced "feeling" and corporate produced music, where not even our food is real any more. I felt myself becoming alienated from music itself, and it was truly disheartening. Johnson's music was almost an awakening; it's a "feel good", and "care free" style of music that you can merely sway to and imagine yourself laying in a hammock on a far off island.

All of this from a gentleman who truly understands where music should come from - the soul.