''That Was Me: Todd Snider 1994-1998'' Collects the Acclaimed Singer-Songwriter's Best-Loved Early Recordings, from ''Talking Seattle Grunge Rock Blues'' to ''Doublewide Blues''.

LOS ANGELES -- Todd Snider, "That Was Me: Todd Snider 1994-1998" (Hip-O/UMe):

--"Todd Snider (has) the heart and humor of John Prine, the wild unpredictability of Roger Miller, and a fresh, original spirit and freedom of imagination that's absolutely his own." -- Kris Kristofferson

--"Of all the young singer-songwriters out there, I think Todd Snider is the best." -- Jerry Jeff Walker 

If you've never heard of Todd Snider, then "That Was Me: Todd Snider 1994-1998" (Hip-O/UMe), released August 30, 2005, 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 -- "That Was Me" was created with Snider's full participation and includes his own liner notes and detailed songography.

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, Ore., he moved to Santa Rosa, Calif., after high school and learned to play the harmonica. His brother, living in Austin, Texas, 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.

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 "Songs For The Daily Planet," starred "Talking Seattle Grunge Rock Blues" as well as "Alright Guy," "Trouble," "You Think You Know Somebody," "Easy Money" and "That Was Me."

For 1996's "Step Right Up," Snider and his band, the Nervous Wrecks, continued blending bluegrass, blues, folk-rock and country-rock to forge their own distinctive sound. "That Was Me" 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 Viva "Satellite" contributes "Can't Complain," "Guaranteed" and "Doublewide Blues."

Snider has since issued four albums on Prine's indie Oh Boy Records, including 2004's "East Nashville Skyline," and he continues to tour across the country.