Admired for his earnest country-tinged folk music, the introspective poetry of his lyrics, and a certain creative daring that defies roots-music stereotypes, Richard Buckner has quietly created a respectful and enthusiastic following of fans, critics, and fellow musicians. The success of his 1994 indie-released debut, plus a well-attended West Coast tour, caught the attention of MCA Records, who released the excellent DEVOTION + DOUBT in '97 and its follow-up a year later. Although both albums helped expand his influence and audience, they didn't sell particularly well, and Buckner was dropped. He has since continued to release challenging, intricate albums for a series of independent labels.