You know how when you fill out official forms and they ask you for an emergency contact who is not a family member? For the last few years (and I'm not sure she even knows this), Laurelyn has been my ICE (In Case of Emergency) person. She was the first person I called when I saw two lines on a pregnancy test two years ago (the first of about 40 that I took until I was convinced that it was real), so she knew about Baby Lila even before Paul did.

In addition to being a great friend and person, she is an unbelievable musical talent who opened for Patty Loveless last night at the Carolina Theater. She's had quite a year, with one of her songs landing on Levon Helm's new album, "Dirt Farmer" and then that album winning a Grammy. Just last week she got a call from the booking agent for "A Prairie Home Companion" telling her that her band, Polecat Creek is going to be on the show next spring.

Note: She will be performing with Rhiannon Giddens next Thursday 10/23 as part of the Dotmatrix Project. You can RSVP to the event HERE.

She's a songwriter, mother of three beautiful daughters, and a deep and soulful friend. She makes a mean covered dish, can sing the harmony to any song ever hummed by a human, and always finds the coolest boots. I'm very happy to have a chance to talk about her and to post some new photos: