Lauderdale teams up with Robert Hunter, write CD together

"Patchwork River" (Thirty Tigers) drops May 11. Lauderdale co-wrote the album - including Alligator Alley, Louisville Roll and Patchwork River - with Hunter. Lauderdale called Hunter "one of the greatest writers that has ever lived in my book. He says things in songs that have never been said before. He paints pictures that have never been seen. I can't believe that I ever got to meet him, much less work with him. He's a world-class genius."

Lauderdale will make two appearances Thursday, March 18 at the South By Southwest music conference in Austin,: he has an afternoon show at the Ruby Stardust Lounge at Maria's Taco Express (3 p.m.), then a gig later that evening at the Americana Music Association's Showcase at Antone's (8 p.m., with times subject to change).

"Patchwork River," written at Hunter's California home, was produced by longtime production partner Tim Coates and Doug Lancio, who also played guitar. James Burton, Al Perkins, Ron Tutt, Garry Tallent, Kenny Vaughan, and Patty Griffin round out the supporting cast.

his marks the second album written by Lauderdale and Hunter, who first met when Lauderdale was preparing to record "I Feel Like Singing Today," the first album he recorded with Dr. Ralph Stanley. Lauderdale knew that Hunter and Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia were fans of Stanley so he approached Hunter about contributing lyrics to the album. From there, the two became friends and wrote over 30 songs together during Robert's 3-month visit to Jim's Nashville home in 2001, 13 of which wound up on the 2004 release "Headed For the Hills."

Hunter said of his partner, "I'm proud to call him a friend, and I know what I say is true. This man has what it takes. If you don't like country with a humble jolt of human soul, leave him alone."

Hunter contributed lyrics to 10 of the 11 songs on Bob Dylan's 2009 "Together Through Life" album.

Lauderdale was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2009 in the "Best Bluegrass Album" category for his album "Could We Get Any Closer" along with nominations for "Best Country Album" for George Strait's Twang for which he co-wrote two songs (including the title track). He was also included in "Best Contemporary Folk Album" for "Secret, Profane, & Sugarcane "by The Sugarcanes, Elvis Costello's band of which he's a member. Lauderdale has previously won two "Best Bluegrass Album" Grammy's: in 2002 for his" Lost In the Lonesome Pines" collaboration with Stanley and in 2008 for his album "The Bluegrass Diaries." He has written songs for artists including the Dixie Chicks, Solomon Burke, and George Jones and has numerous hits with Patty Loveless, Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack and others. As a musician, he has also recorded and toured with Lucinda Williams in addition to The Sugarcanes and last year hosted the 2009 Americana Music Awards in Nashville for the seventh consecutive year.

Tour dates are:

Tour dates are:
Saturday March 13 Nashville, TN Station Inn
Friday March 19 Houston, TX Mucky Duck
Saturday March 27 Live Oak, FL Suwannee Springfest
Wednesday April 14 Santa Ynez, CA Tales From the Tavern

As a member of Elvis Costello & the Sugarcanes:
Tuesday April 20 Boston, MA Orpheum Theatre
Thursday April 22 Washington, DC Warner Theatre
Friday April 23 New York, NY United Palace
Saturday April 24 Rich
Monday d, VA The National
Monday April 26 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle
Tuesday April 27 Jackson, FL Florida Theatre
Thursday April 29 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

Jim Lauderdale:
Friday April 30 Wilkesboro, NC Merlefest
Saturday May 1 Wilkesboro, NC Merlefest

As a member of Elvis Costello & the Sugarcanes:
Saturday May 1 Wilkesboro, NC Merlefest

Jim Lauderdale:
Thursday May 13 St. Louis, MO Old Rock House
Friday May 14 Columbia, MO Mojo's
Saturday May 15 Des Moines, IA Temple Theater
Sunday May 16 Kansas City, MO Knuckleheads
Sunday June 13 Palisade, CO Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Festival