Jim Lauderdale is one of those rare musicians that is accepted and adored by fans at the Grand Ole Opry, Bonnaroo or a bluegrass festival. His music crosses all lines of demarcation and is loved by hippies and rednecks, old folks and teenyboppers and everyone in between.

Influenced by the likes of Ralph Stanley and George Jones, Lauderdale is at the top of the A-list of Nashville songwriters, with songs recorded by Patty Loveless, George Jones, The Dixie Chicks, Solomon Burke, Mark Chesnutt, Dave Edmunds, John Mayall, Kathy Mattea, Lee Ann Womack, Vince Gill and George Strait, among others.

With 17 albums under his belt, including one with Donna The Buffalo (2003’s “Wait 'Til Spring”), Lauderdale’s legacy is considerable. Now the man who has been referred to as “the Voice of Americana” has teamed up with long-time Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter for an amazing new album titled “Patchwork River.”

Hunter, of course, was Jerry Garcia’s writing partner for decades, and penned lyrics for some of the Dead’s best-loved songs. Since Garcia’s death, he has worked with David Nelson (New Riders of the Purple Sage), Steve Kimock, Rob Barraco, and previously with Lauderdale on his 2004 album “Headed for the Hills.” That album showed the potential of the songwriting team, and “Patchwork River” realizes that potential in a major way.

Opening the album with the powerful and stirring title cut, the album moves through different styles smoothly and deliberately, going from country-rock to blues to bluegrass to folk to country with ease. Lyrically, Hunter is at the top of his game, and musically, with a lineup of monster players including Byron House, Garry Tallent, Al Perkins, Steve Sheehan, John Deaderick, Patti Griffin and many others, I couldn’t imagine it being any better.

“Patchwork River” will certainly be a welcome addition to any music collection, and Jim Lauderdale can add a real classic to his already considerable legacy.