"Shotgun Down the Avalanche" by Shawn Colvin.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 80s: This Vermillion, SD native started playing the guitar at age 10 taught by her father, an early folkie. After vocal cord issues as well as addiction, she was hired to sing backup for Suzanne Vega's "Luka". Her clarion and ethereal voice as well as her masterful fingerstyle guitar playing led to a record contract and her breakout album "Steady On". Its lead track is a beautful and bracing melancholic folk ballad inspired by her rocky relationship with her producer and co-writer John Leventhal. It features Bruce Hornsby on piano and Suzanne Vega on backup vocals. She tuned her low E string down to D, so when the verses and the chorus hit the major fifth, a D chord, the bass would ring out, giving it its trademark sound. "Steady On" won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album. Song? Artist? Answer: "Shotgun Down the Avalanche" by Shawn Colvin. The "avalanche" is a metaphor for the fragility of a faltering romantic relationship (much like Stevie Nicks' "Landslide" regarding Lindsey Buckingham). We had the privilege of seeing Shawn Colvin with Mary Chapin Carpnter at Hoyt-Sherman in Des Moines a few wears ago. Just the two of them with their acoustic guitars. Memorable concert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlf_F1lVen0&list=RDqlf_F1lVen0&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzNCKG-hiMg&list=RDFzNCKG-hiMg&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pmtqrQzFEw&list=RD2pmtqrQzFEw&start_radio=1

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