This has been a great year for music for me. I’m talking about the music I have been listening to. Well, it’s been a great year for my music too but that’s another blog. Right now, I’m talking about the music that is on my iPod. The music that I listen to more often than any other music, that’s the stuff.

It’s a beautiful thing that we get to have millions of minutes of music on our multiply gigabyted iPods and MP3 players but there are only a few artist that have really captivated my attention over the last year. Don’t get me wrong! I like to hit random every once-in-a-while just as much as the next guy. But that’s not what inspires me to be a better musician and songwriter.

Now, most of you are going to laugh at my list because there is not a single band on it whose greatness transcends this decade. But I’m being honest. Most musicians would probably be listing some greats like U2, Nirvana, Miles Davis, Johnny Cash, The Stones, Queen, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, John Coltrane, Ray Charles, Elvis, AND OF COURSE, they would not be cool unless they listed Radiohead. I have not been listening to many of these guys.

Here’s my top 5 artists in my playlist with some references to my favorite songs.

One Republic
Dreaming Out Loud is the album and the whole thing is awesome. The song Mercy blows my mind. Ryan has a ridiculously rad voice.

Coldplay
Viva La Vida is one of the most artistic pieces of sonic goodness that I have ever experienced.

Phil Wickham
I love every note! I am a fan of Cannons but his self titled album is my favorite album in the world. Mystery is objectively one of the best songs ever written in my humble, subjective opinion.

Josiah James
Is it weird that I listen to my own brother every day? Not only do I have the priviledge of having unreleased music of his on my playlist, I get to hear new tunes that he writes pretty much every week. He is Amazing!

Colbie Caillat
You are probably going, “What?” I know she is a bit different from the direction that this list has gone (besides not being timeless) but I really like her stuff. I don’t even remember the album title but I listen to it a lot. I have been meaning to cover the song One Fine Wire for a while because it’s awesome. But I haven’t got to it yet.

Well, that’s my list. Do you listen to any of this stuff? Tell me a couple people that are on your playlists? I always love hearing what music is making an impact on everyone else.