With the release of his latest EP, Fighting for King George, singer, songwriter, and guitarist Dick Siegel returns with an upbeat political roots rocker and soulful, pared-down reflections on the American identity that showcase his incisive songwriting.

A member of the Detroit Music Hall of Fame and the recipient of awards such as multiple Detroit Music Awards and the Kerrville Music Festival's New Folk Award, Dick Siegel is known for his engagingly unconventional lyrics and a dynamic musical style that incorporates modern folk, roots, and jazz. He was named in WDET's list of the most important and influential artists in the history of Detroit, alongside legends such as John Lee Hooker, Stevie Wonder, and Aretha Franklin. A longtime NPR staple, his songs have featured prominently on stations such as Austin's KUT, New York's WFUV, and San Francisco's KPFA, as well as syndicated shows including Mountain Stage and All Things Considered.

The son of a classical violinist, Siegel grew up in New Jersey in an environment that encouraged creative musical expression. After playing drums in his teens, he taught himself the guitar and honed his songwriting skills while majoring in English at the University of Michigan. It was at this time that he discovered the powerful imagery in Dylan Thomas and T. S. Eliot's poetry, as well as the lyrical accessibility of Bob Dylan's music: "I decided that Bob Dylan had single-handedly infused modern poetry into modern music," he says.

As a founding member of the Ministers of Melody, Siegel first introduced his trademark blend of rapid-fire wordplay, slyly ironic humor, and insightfulness into the profundities of everyday life before developing it further in a successful solo career. He has been winning over audiences with his songcraft for over two decades. "I'm celebratory — I celebrate life from the huge to the minute, from the tragic to the hilarious," he explains. As a seasoned artist, he expertly steps into the roles of a raconteur, a confidante, your best friend, a prophet, a comedian, a pair of eyes on the universe, and an interpreter of daydreams.

To date, he has released a trio of critically acclaimed albums that showcase his versatility, starting with Snap!, a refreshing collection of original compositions inspired by Louis Jordan. Snap! features unforgettable selections such as "Angelo's" — a luscious paean to delights of a legendary eatery, the humorous finger-snapping response to relationship dilemmas "What Would Brando Do," the bluesy "When the Sumac Is on Fire," and the simple, wistful beauty of "Carry Me Away." Masterfully produced by Paul Percy and featuring swinging guest performances by members of Austin's Jazz Pharaohs, Siegel's follow-up album, Angels Aweigh, spans a vast emotional and musical range, from the playful stomp "Happy," to the ironically observation about feline and political tendencies in "I Gotta Cat," the melancholy Caribbean-influenced "Let Me Touch Your Dress," the tenderly elegiac "Someone's Crossing Over," and the hauntingly bittersweet title track. Siegel latest album, A Little Pain Never Hurt, displays his storyteller's skill and keen eye for imagery. Recorded with noted Nashville musicians including Stuart Duncan, Daryl Scott, Mark Schatz, and Jim Hurst, and co-produced by Grammy nominee Tim O'Brien, this release finds Siegel in fine form, with songs such as the moody Van Morrison-esque "Pretty Colored Wagons," the gently undulating "Skin," and "Joshua," with its powerfully interwoven images.