Sara Hickman is an accomplished singer/songwriter hailing from the state of Texas. She's had a #3 adult contemporary hit in "I Couldn't Help Myself," has twice been a guest of “The Tonight Show,” hosted her own VH-1 special, was appointed 2010 Texas State Musician, and is an avid supporter of numerous charities.

That charitable spirit surfaces again in a two-CD release showcasing her songwriting called "The Best of Times: Texas Artists performing the music of Sara Hickman." The proceeds from the set benefit the Theatre Action Project, a charity that addresses the loss of funding to arts education.

Gracing the set is a veritable who's who of Texas artists, led off by Willie Nelson performing "Simply." In addition, veterans Robert Earl Keen, Edie Brickell and New Bohemians, Jimmy LaFave, The Flatlanders, Trout Fishing In America, Darden Smith, Marcia Ball, and Shawn Colvin also lend their talents to the project. Ruthie Foster, Charlie Sexton, Shelley King, David Garza, Abra Moore, Betty Soo, Ana Egge, Jess Klein, Graham Wilkinson and Matt The Electrician bring their styles to the set as well, contributing some of their finest performances of songs penned by Hickman.

Additionally, lots of new artists brought their individual talents to the album as well, including Patrice Pike, Andrea Perry, Ray Von Foster, After Math, LZ Love, The Nauer-Neverly Bros., Colin Gilmore, The Djembabes, and many more grace this highly listenable and enjoyable collection.

Personal favorites include Matt the Electrician's "Middle of a Little Country Road," Ana Egge's "Joy," Marcia Ball's take on "Strong Woman," and Trout Fishing In America's delightful "The Place Where the Garage Used to Stand."

You may not know the music of Hickman, but it is very much worth a listen, and this set, with its plethora of great artists, does much to spotlight her excellent songwriting and at the same time accomplishes a greater good for a worthy and important cause.