The late Tom Dundee comes to mind. From Chicago.

There are plenty of youtube videos of Tom. The thing they're missing, though was his brilliance as a stroyteller in explaining the genesis of many of his songs. He passed in 2006 from a motorcycle accident at the age of 59.

Was privileged to co-produce and play on his first release entitled 'A Delicate Balance". I miss him alot though we'd lost touch over the years. A once in a generation talent.

Would encourage anyone to do a study of his songs. They never sound contrived, clever or 'songwritey' if I can coin a phrase. One would listen and be unaware of the genius in the simplicity until long afterward. One verse that I recall says:

"Oh baby I'm crazy 'bout you"
"She looked the other way and said, 'Oh yeah, well me too!"
They went down tryin', but what the hell
It was a short letter and a long farewell.