Tift Merritt (born January 8,1975) is an American singer/songwriter/guitar player whose unique style could be described as part alt-country and part blue-eyed soul. Her most recent release, Tambourine, was honored with a 2004 Country Album of the Year Grammy nomination. She began her career playing small clubs in Chapel Hill and Raleigh, North Carolina. In 1999 she released a 7-song EP with the Two Dollar Pistols, led by John Howie, Jr. The EP was very much a country music compiliation as it featured two original songs and five covers including Charley Pride's "I'm So Afraid of Losing You Again."
In 2002 Tift released her debut album Bramble Rose to wide critical acclaim, including selection by Time magazine as one of the top 10 CD's of the year. The London Times called it "the best release by a new artist, in any genre". Her follow-up release, Tambourine, took her in more of a rock/soul direction. Backed by Benmont Tench and Mike Campbell (of the Heartbreakers) and Don Heffington (of Emmylou Harris's Hot Band and Lone Justice), the album was produced by famed roots rock producer George Drakoulias whose credits include work with the Black Crowes and the Jayhawks among others.
In 2005, Tift released a live album called Home is Loud which was recorded June 4th, 2005 in North Carolina.
