Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart

Stacey Earle's Iris DeMent-like country drawl goes right through me; I've been hooked on it ever since her "When I Fall" duet on brother Steve's 2000 LP Transcendental Blues (yes, that Steve). Some people just seem made to sing together, like they're tuned to the same ideas, times and artistic values. Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart have had that special harmony of voices, values and purpose since they first met in Nashville in 1992, when Stacey was on a break from touring with Steve's band. The couple married in 1993 and has since released a handful of solo records, formed their own label, Gearle Records, and released two solid albums of folksy Americana. Despite almost constant touring, they've still managed to raise Stacey's two children and keep their names out of the scandal sheets, so both their marriage and their voices seem like matches made in heaven. — William Michael Smith