Lucinda Williams is a songwriter with the heart of a poet. She is, after all, the daughter of Miller Williams.

See Lucinda sing Miller Williams’ poem “Compassion”

For more than 40 years, Lucinda Williams has infused her plain-spoken lyrical poetry with elements of folk, blues, and country, often to gut-wrenching, heart-breaking, and beautiful results. Fellow poet, award-winning writer Mary Karr, put it best: Williams is the “Prophetess of Pain.”

Lucinda Williams‘ 70th birthday is on Thursday, January 26th. Join WUMB throughout the day as we share songs from her incredible career.

Hear the Artist of the Day features in the 9 AM, noon, and 3 PM hours this week.