If you"ve never heard of Todd Snider+ then <i>That Was Me: Todd Snider 1994-1998 </i> is an introduction. If you"re already a fan+ then his first compilation+ following seven critically acclaimed albums+ is a tribute to the wry+ honest+ brutal and yet funny Snider. Featuring 17 tracks culled from his first three albums plus a previously unreleased cover of Jimmy Buffett"s "Margaritaville"--all digitally remastered from the original master tapes--<i>That Was Me</i> was created with Snider"s full participation and includes his own liner notes and detailed songography.<p></p>An iconoclastic hero of alt-country+ Americana+ college radio and modern folk+ Snider"s influences are the likes of Randy Newman+ Bob Dylan and Neil Young. Born in Portland+ OR+ he moved to Santa Rosa+ CA+ after high school and learned to play the harmonica. His brother+ living in Austin+ TX+ figured Todd might find a job in a band there so he sent him a plane ticket. After seeing Jerry Jeff play in a local bar+ Snider indeed decided that was what he wanted to do with his life.<p></p>During a mid-"80s stint in Memphis where he established a residency at the Daily Planet club+ he was discovered by Keith Sykes+ a member of Jimmy Buffett"s Coral Reefer Band. John Prine then hired Snider as an assistant and eventually had him open shows. When Buffett heard Snider"s demos+ he signed him to his MCA imprint Margaritaville Records. His debut album+ 1994"s <i>Songs for the Daily Planet</i>+ starred "Talking Seattle Grunge Rock Blues" as well as "Alright Guy+" "Trouble+" "You Think You Know Somebody+" "Easy Money" and "That Was Me."<p></p>For 1996"s <i>Step Right Up</i>+ Snider and his band+ the Nervous Wrecks+ continued blending bluegrass+ blues+ folk-rock and country-rock to forge their own distinctive sound. <i>That Was Me</i> reprises its "Enough+" "Hey Hey+" "Moon Dawg"s Tavern+" "Horseshoe Lake+" "Tension+" "Better Than Ever Blues (Part Two)+" "Late Last Night" and "Side Show Blues." 1998"s <i>Viva Satellite</i> contributes "Can"t Complain+" "Guaranteed" and "Doublewide Blues." Snider has since issued four albums on Prine"s indie Oh Boy Records+ including 2004"s <i>East Nashville Skyline</i>+ and he continues to tour across the country.