Are there any Erica MacKenzie Smith fans out there? I am guessing that I am not alone.

If you haven't already heard her, you are in for a big treat. She has appeared as part of a trio called Ida Red, and as much as I love that group, I prefer to hear Erica solo. She is based in New York City.

So what do I enjoy about Erica so much? In a word it's her simplicity. She just gets up there with her guitar and sings straight from the heart. But she's also witty, talented, intelligent, and -- dare I say it? -- pretty. Yeah, I know looks are only skin deep, yada yada yada. And I also know it might be construed as politically incorrect to say so in this day and age, but I still get a kick out of seeing a pretty woman -- especially one who can sing like she does!

---Steve