One of the most poignant moments for me in the movie A Complete Unknown is the depiction of Bob Dylan performing "The Times They Are A-Changin’" for the first time at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival. The song instantly captures the hearts and minds of the audience—and by the second or third refrain, they’re singing along with him.

I was moved not only because of how amazing it must have been for the people there in that moment, but also because it triggered memories from when I’ve been present at similar moments. When I’ve thought something like:

“OMG, I get to be here for this!!!...”

One of the places I've had that experience has been in the song circles at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas.

Some of the songs I’ve heard there over the years have gone on to become major hits for the songwriter—or for another artist—or they’ve found their way into movie soundtracks. Most of them have simply become touchstone songs for the songwriter: the ones audiences request frequently, sing along to, and respond to most enthusiastically.

Also, when I hear them, they still blow my mind.

Jon Ims—one of the songwriters featured on this album and the writer of Trisha Yearwood’s hit "She’s In Love With The Boy"—once said to me:

“The energy of a great song is undeniable.”