It isn’t often that a nationally-syndicated cartoonist gives up his success in order to follow his musical aspirations, but that is the case with Roy Schneider.

Schneider was highly successful with his nationally-syndicated cartoon “The Humble Stumble,” but ended that run in 2008 to pursue his muse, and has already shared stages with Sam Bush, The Indigo Girls, Matthew Sweet, Shawn Mullins, Fred Eaglesmith and Rodney Crowell, to name a few.

In 2009, Schneider embarked on his first 10-state tour, mostly in the Southeast, to rave reviews and enthusiastic crowds, including one here in Auburn at the Gnu’s Room.

Many of his experiences are recounted in song on his new album “Erleichda,” (pronounced ur-LIKE-duh), his third studio effort. The album opens with “South in the Summertime,” a classic road song that vividly describes much of what we here in the South experience daily and hold dear to our hearts. Musically, the pallet from which Schneider paints is rich with color, getting help from David C. Johnson of the Neville Brothers, the legendary Charlie McCoy lending his harmonica work and Keven Aland (Leftover Salmon, Peter Yarrow, Widespread Panic) offering up some fine fiddle playing in addition to Schneider’s fine guitar, mandolin, banjo, flute and percussion work.

Schneider's modern-day troubadour approach works on many levels in his live performances, and “Erleichda” captures that spirit very well. Songs like “Keep It Simple,” “Strange Wind” and “No Rest For Nature Boy” underscore Schneider’s simple, yet multi-faceted approach to his music, and his choice of the Grateful Dead’s “Brokedown Palace” to close the album is the icing on the cake.

My suggestion: go to his website, royschneider.com, buy “Erleichda” and check his schedule to catch him on the road this summer and fall.

Hear Wildman Steve’s Internet radio station, Internet radio for music lovers 24/7, at www.wildmansteve.com.