Matt Nathanson

If San Francisco-based singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson wasn't so handy with the catchy melodies and dedicated to his music -- independently releasing five albums and an EP and amassing a nationwide fan base before finally singing to a major label for 2003's Beneath These Fireworks -- he still probably could have pursued an equally successful career as a stand-up comic. Not that his songs are jokes -- his lyrics suggest he's far more comfortable wearing his hear on his sleeve than a shallow smirk on his face. But as anyone whose seen him live (or heard new live album, At the Point) can attest, his candid between-song setups are killers. He's no slouch on the 12-string guitar, either. In other words, he's got it all. As the Hollywood Reporter put it matter-of-factly, he belongs in the spotlight by virtue of his strong personality and even stronger material.