Mary Chapin Carpenter

Mary Chapin Carpenter grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, where her father's work as a jazz musician gave her an early connection to music. She started writing songs around age twelve, with folk artists like Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell among her influences. Her first album, 'Hometown Girl,' came out in 1987, but it was her third record, 'Come On Come On,' that really broke through. That album included 'Passionate Kisses,' which became a hit and won her Grammys.

Her songs often have a reflective quality, whether it's the upbeat 'Down At The Twist And Shout' or quieter pieces like 'Grow Old Along With Me' and 'Jubilee.' In the mid-1990s, after taking some time away, she returned with 'Come Darkness, Come Light,' an album that dealt with recovery and moving forward. More recently, she's been vocal about social and political issues, which has drawn both support and criticism.