Editing Todd Snider (section)

==Recordings==
===1990s===
====Margaritaville/MCA years====
Snider's debut album for Margaritaville, ''[[Songs for the Daily Planet]]'', was released in 1994 and reached number 23 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Heatseekers Albums chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= February 4, 1995 |title= Heatseekers Albums |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1995/1995-02-04-Billboard-Page-0026.pdf#search=%22todd%20snider%22 |magazine= Billboard |pages= 26 |access-date= July 26, 2011}}</ref> Produced by [[Tony Brown (record producer)|Tony Brown]] and [[Michael Utley|Mike Utley]], the album was literally composed of songs he was playing at the Daily Planet nightclub in Memphis. Although there were a few guest musicians and singers on the record, the core lineup was Snider on acoustic guitar, Joe Mariencheck on bass, Joe McLeary on drums, Utley on keyboards, Eddie Shaver on electric guitar, and Peter Hyrka on mandolin, acoustic guitar, and violin.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.discogs.com/Todd-Snider-Songs-For-The-Daily-Planet/release/1906404 |title= Todd Snider – Songs for the Daily Planet |author=<!--Not stated--> |website= Discogs |access-date= July 26, 2021}}</ref> The record included a hidden track, "Talking Seattle Grunge Rock Blues," which became a minor radio hit, reaching No. 31 on the ''Billboard'' Album Rock Tracks chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= January 7, 1995 |title= AlbumRock Tracks |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1995/1995-01-07-Billboard-Page-0097.pdf#search=%22todd%20snider%22 |magazine= Billboard |pages= 103 |access-date= July 26, 2021}}</ref> A talking blues for Gen-X, the song mocked the early ’90s grunge scene and featured a band that refused to play. The video for another single from the album, "Alright Guy," was in rotation on VH1.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= March 25, 1995 |title= Video Monitor |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1995/1995-03-25-Billboard-Page-0041.pdf#search=%22alright%20guy%22 |magazine= Billboard |pages= 43 |access-date= July 26, 2021}}</ref>

Snider's second album for Margaritaville/MCA, ''Step Right Up'', was released on April 23, 1996, and ''Billboard'' proclaimed it to be "more stunning than his debut."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Borzillo |first= Carrie|date= May 4, 1996 |title= Stepping Up |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=9gsEAAAAMBAJ&dq=todd+snider+%22step+right+up%22&pg=PA20|magazine= Billboard |access-date= July 26, 2021}}</ref> Brown and Utley were coproducers with Snider, and Utley backed Snider and the Wrecks on keyboards.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/step-right-up-mw0000186371/credits |title= Todd Snider – ''Step Right Up'': Credits |author=<!--Not stated--> |website= AllMusic |access-date= July 26, 2021}}</ref>

Snider's third album, ''Viva Satellite'', represented a turning point in his career. Prior to making the record, Margaritaville left MCA and signed with Island Records for distribution. But MCA retained rights to Snider's recordings, so they would release the album. No longer recording for Margaritaville or working with Brown and Utley, Snider produced some sides at engineer Justin Niebank's studio in Franklin, Tennessee, with mixed success. Only one of the tracks he cut there would make the album, the finale "Doublewide Blues." Snider recorded the rest of the album at Ardent Studios in Memphis with producer-engineer John Hampton. He was backed by Kimbrough on guitar, Mariencheck on bass, [[Paul Buchignani]] on drums, and Rick Steff playing keyboards, and the result was a more straight-ahead rock record than his first two.<ref>{{cite web |url=  https://www.discogs.com/Todd-Snider-Viva-Satellite/release/4832355 |title= Todd Snider –Viva Satellite |author=<!--Not stated--> |website= Discogs |access-date= July 26, 2021}}</ref> Shortly before the album was released in May 1998, there was trouble at a private performance in L.A. for MCA execs and their staffs. Snider, who was struggling with drugs at the time, insulted those in attendance early in the set and then left the stage. Not long thereafter, MCA released him from his contract.<ref>{{cite journal |last =Skanse |first =Richard |date=July 1, 2004 |title= Q&A: Todd Snider |url= https://lonestarmusicmagazine.com/qa-todd-snider/ |journal= Lone Star Music Magazine |access-date= August 29, 2021}}</ref>

===2000s===
====Oh Boy years====
After leaving MCA, Snider disbanded the Nervous Wrecks and signed with [[John Prine]]’s independent label, [[Oh Boy Records]]. Oh Boy released his fourth album, ''Happy To Be Here'', on April 18, 2000.<ref>{{cite journal |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= April 10, 2000 |title= Upcoming Releases |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=XNPgrOvoqUkC&dq=todd+snider+happy+to+be+here&pg=PA37 |journal= CMJ New Music Report |pages= 37 |access-date= August 3, 2021}}</ref> Working with producer [[Ray Kennedy (country singer)|Ray Kennedy]], Snider recorded all the songs solo acoustic, then additional instrumentation was added to his guitar and vocal tracks.<ref>{{cite news |last= Lang |first= George |date= September 21, 2001 |title= Grunge survivor Todd Snider happy to be in the music business |url= https://www.oklahoman.com/article/2755931/grunge-survivor-todd-snider-happy-to-be-in-music-business |newspaper= The Oklahoman  |access-date= August 3, 2021}}</ref> Besides Kennedy who played a variety of instruments on the record, guitarists [[Pat Buchanan (musician)|Pat Buchanan]] and Will Kimbrough, bassists [[Joey Spampinato]] and Keith Christopher, keyboardist [[Johnny Neel]], drummer [[Paul Buchignani]], multi-instrumentalist [[Peter Holsapple]], violinist [[Tammy Rogers]], and horn players Jim Hoke and [[Wayne Jackson (musician)|Wayne Jackson]] all contributed to the album.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.discogs.com/Todd-Snider-Happy-To-Be-Here/release/4899891 |title= Todd Snider – Happy To Be Here |author=<!--Not stated--> |website= Discogs |access-date= August 3, 2021}}</ref>

Oh Boy released Snider's second album for the label, ''[[New Connection]]'', on May 14, 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://toddsnider.bandcamp.com/album/new-connection|title= Todd Snider |author=<!--Not stated--> |website= BandCamp |access-date= August 3, 2021}}</ref> Produced by R.S. Field, ''Billboard'' said of the album, "Snider has settled into a groove of consistent quality and potent observation."<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= May 18, 2002 |title= New Connection: On his fifth release and second for Nashville-based indie Oh Boy, Todd Snider finds himself in a comfortable, confident mode that easily taps into his often poignant, sometimes off-kilter world view |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1993/1993-05-15-Billboard-Page-0016.pdf#search=%22todd%20snider%22 |magazine= Billboard |page= 16 |access-date= July 26, 2021}}</ref>

Snider's third Oh Boy release was a live album, ''Near Truths and Hotel Rooms'', which was released on May 13, 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/near-truths-and-hotel-rooms-live-mw0000030777 |title= Todd Snider – ''Near Truths and Hotel Rooms'' |last= Ruhlman |first= William |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 3, 2021}}</ref> The record, which was recorded at half a dozen venues, captured Snider's live show post-Nervous Wrecks—just him solo with his acoustic guitar and harmonica.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Whepley |first=  Brian |date= June 3, 2003 |title= Todd Snider - Near Truths And Hotel Rooms |url= https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/todd-snider/todd-snider-near-truths-and-hotel-rooms/|journal= Paste |access-date= August 3, 2021}}</ref> [[Robert Christgau]] gave the album an A− grade in his Consumer Guide.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Todd+Snider|title= Todd Snider: Consumer Guide Reviews|last= Christgau|first= Robert |website= Robert Christgau: Dean of American Rock Critics |access-date= August 3, 2021 }}</ref>

Snider's final studio album for Oh Boy, ''[[East Nashville Skyline]]'', was released on July 20, 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/east-nashville-skyline-mw0000656524 |title= Todd Snider – ''East Nashville Skyline'' |last= Latham |first= Aaron |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 6, 2021}}</ref> For the first time, Snider took full creative control of his record-making process,<ref>{{cite journal |last= Sanders |first= Daryl |date= March 2011 |title= Todd Snider: East Nashville's Ambassador to the World |url= https://www.theeastnashvillian.com/todd-snider/ |journal= The East Nashvillian |access-date= August 6, 2021}}</ref> and the result was an album that was both a musical and cultural breakthrough. It introduced East Nashville to the larger world, and its influence reverberates to this day.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Thanki |first= Juli |date= October 5, 2016 |title= Todd Snider catches a 'Buzz' on new album |url= https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2016/10/05/todd-snider-catches-buzz-new-album/91219814/ |journal= The Tennessean |access-date= August 6, 2021}}</ref> Snider co-produced the record with his old Nervous Wrecks bandmate Will Kimbrough at engineer Eric McCullough's east Nashville studio. In addition to guitarist Kimbrough and multi-instrumentalist McCullough, he was backed on the sessions by a who's who of east Nashville musicians including guitarist Tim Carroll, bassists Dave Jacques and Dave Roe, drummers Paul Griffith and Craig Wright, and pianist John Deadrick. ''East Nashville Skyline'' included two iconic songs that added to the songwriting canon: "Play a Train Song" pushed the boundaries of "train" songs with the story of a man who was known for always requesting that kind of song, and "The Ballad of the Kingsmen" took the talking blues to a more contemporary place musically while connecting the censorship of "[[Louie Louie]]" culturally to the Columbine shootings.<ref>{{cite web |url=  https://www.discogs.com/Todd-Snider-East-Nashville-Skyline/release/2657758 |title= Todd Snider –East NashvilleSkyline |author=<!--Not stated--> |website= Discogs |access-date= August 6, 2021}}</ref> ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' called the album "the wittiest and feistiest album of his career."<ref>{{cite journal |last= Deusner |first= Stephen M. |date= December 14, 2004 |title= Todd Snider: East Nashville Skyline |url= https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/7797-east-nashville-skyline/ |journal= Pitchfork |access-date=August 6, 2021}}</ref> Christgau gave it an A in his Consumer Guide and called it "a slacker wakeup call."<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Todd+Snider|title= Todd Snider: Consumer Guide Reviews|last= Christgau|first= Robert |website= Robert Christgau: Dean of American Rock Critics |access-date= August 6, 2021 }}</ref> ''[[PopMatters]]'' ranked it the seventh-best album of 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.popmatters.com/best2004-041228-gilstrap-2496022811.html |title= Best of 2004 |last= Gilstrap |first= Andrew |date= December 28, 2004 |website= PopMatters |access-date= August 6, 2021}}</ref> ''East Nashville Skyline'' reached No. 28 on the ''Billboard'' Independent Albums chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= August 7, 2004 |title= Top Independent Albums |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=5BIEAAAAMBAJ&dq=east+nashville+skyline%2C+todd+snider&pg=PA61 |magazine= Billboard |pages= 61 |access-date= August 6, 2021}}</ref>

After ''[[East Nashville Skyline]]'', Snider moved to Bob Mercer's New Door Records label which was distributed by [[Universal Music Group]], but Oh Boy would issue one more album of his music. On April 3, 2007, the label released ''Peace, Love And Anarchy (Rarities, B-Sides And Demos, Vol. I)'', a compilation of previously unreleased recordings.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/peace-love-and-anarchy-rarities-b-sides-and-demos-vol-1-mw0000747312 |title= Todd Snider – ''Peace, Love And Anarchy (Rarities, B-Sides And Demos, Vol. I)'' |last= Deming |first= Mark |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 30, 2021}}</ref> Notable among the collection's fourteen tracks is the song "East Nashville Skyline" which was intended to be the title track of the album of the same name but Snider did not finish it in time to make the album.

====New Door years====
While Snider was working on his first record for New Door, UMG released a selection of his Margaritaville and MCA back catalog. The collection, ''That Was Me: 1994-1998'', was released on August 30, 2005,<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/that-was-me-the-best-of-todd-snider-1994-1998-mw0000417484 |title= Todd Snider – ''That Was Me: The Best of Todd Snider 1994-1998'' |last= Monger |first= James Christopher |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 30, 2021}}</ref> through their reissue arm, Hip-O Records.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.discogs.com/Todd-Snider-That-Was-Me-1994-1998/release/2126555 |title= Todd Snider – That Was Me: 1994-1998 |author=<!--Not stated--> |website= Discogs |access-date= August 10, 2021}}</ref> The compilation included seventeen tracks from all three of the albums distributed by MCA, including "Alright Guy" and "Talking Seattle Grunge Rock Blues," plus a previously unreleased cover of "Margaritaville, a breakneck rendition on which he was backed by the Nervous Wrecks.

Snider's first release for New Door was ''The Devil You Know'', the acclaimed follow-up to ''East Nashville Skyline'' released on August 8, 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-devil-you-know-mw0000571780 |title= Todd Snider – ''The Devil You Know'' |last= Ruhlman |first= William |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 30, 2021}}</ref> Working again with co-producers Will Kimbrough and Eric McConnell, who both played multiple instruments on the album, Snider also was backed on the record by guitarist [[Tommy Womack]], bassists Billy Mercer, Robert Kearns, and Dave Jacques, drummers Paul Griffith and Craig Wright, pianist [[David Zollo|Dave Zollo]], violinist Molly Thomas, and legendary steel guitarist [[Lloyd Green]].<ref>{{cite web |url=  https://www.discogs.com/Todd-Snider-The-Devil-You-Know/release/4186777 |title= Todd Snider – The Devil You Know |author=<!--Not stated--> |website= Discogs |access-date= August 10, 2021}}</ref> The record went to number four on the ''Billboard'' Heatseekers Albums chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/artist/todd-snider/chart-history/tln/ |title= Chart History: Todd Snider: Heatseekers Albums |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= August 25, 2006 |magazine= Billboard |access-date= August 13, 2021}}</ref> Christgau gave it an A in his Consumer Guide and called it "better" than its predecessor.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Todd+Snider |title= Todd Snider: Consumer Guide Reviews|last= Christgau|first= Robert |website= Robert Christgau: Dean of American Rock Critics |access-date= August 13, 2021 }}</ref> The record was named to several critics' year-end "best" lists, including a number 33 ranking in ''[[Rolling Stone]]'''s top 50 albums of the year,{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} a number 25 ranking by ''[[No Depression (magazine)|No Depression]]'' magazine, and number 14 by ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' magazine.

On October 20, 2006, Snider made a solo acoustic in-store appearance at Grimey's New and Preloved Records in Nashville, performing material from ''The Devil You Know''.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.discogs.com/Todd-Snider-Live-At-Grimeys-Nashville/release/2444867 |title= Todd Snider – Live With The Devil You Know At Grimey's Nashville 10.20.06 |author=<!--Not stated--> |website= Discogs |access-date= August 13, 2021}}</ref> The performance was recorded and released by New Door on April 3, 2007, as ''Live With The Devil You Know At Grimey's Nashville 10.20.06''. It was his final release on the New Door label.

====Launch of Aimless Records====
In 2008, Snider launched his own independent record label, Aimless Records. The label's first release was his eight-song EP ''[[Peace Queer]]'', the most political record of his career. The title was inspired by the ’60s avant garde rock band [[The Fugs]] who had a line about killing "peace queers."<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.jambase.com/article/todd-snider-is-so-queer |title= Todd Snider Is So Queer |last= Cook |first= Dennis |date= October 23, 2008 |website= Jambase |publisher= |access-date= August 13, 2021 }}</ref> As Snider tells it in the press bio for the album, he was kidnapped by an international league of peace queers who forced him to write the protest songs that appeared on the record. Three of the tracks on the EP were recorded at co-producer Eric McConnell's studio with backing from some of the musicians who worked on Snider's two previous albums, including guitarist Will Kimbrough, bassist Dave Jacques, keyboardist Dave Zollo, and drummers Paul Griffith and Craig Wright. The remainder of the EP was recorded with co-producer [[Doug Lancio]] at his studio with Lancio providing musical accompaniment and [[Patty Griffin]] contributing backing vocals to two of the tracks—"Cape Henry" and the cover of John Fogerty's "[[Fortunate Son]]." Released on October 14, 2008,<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/peace-queer-mw0000795517/credits |title= Todd Snider – ''Peace Queer'': Credits |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 13, 2021}}</ref> the record went to number one on the Americana Airplay Chart and number eight on the ''Billboard'' Heatseekers Albums chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/artist/todd-snider/chart-history/tln/ |title= Chart History: Todd Snider: Heatseekers Albums |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= October 31, 2008 |magazine= Billboard |access-date= August 13, 2021}}</ref>

====Yep Roc album====
Aimless did not release Snider's next album, ''[[The Excitement Plan]]'', because he had already committed it to Yep Roc Records, but it would be the last record he would make for another record label. Produced by [[Don Was]] and released on June 9, 2009, the album featured Snider with minimal backing: Was on upright bass, [[Jim Keltner]] on drums, and [[Greg Leisz]] on dobro and pedal steel.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-excitement-plan-mw0000817699/credits |title= Todd Snider – ''The Excitement Plan'': Credits  |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 13, 2021}}</ref> ''PopMatters'' called the record "a masterwork of intimacy" and said it "solidified his place among the masters of the form."<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.popmatters.com/94859-todd-snider-the-excitement-plan-2496036027.html |title= Todd Snider: The Excitement Plan |last= Henderson |first= Stuart |date= June 16, 2009 |website= PopMatters |access-date= August 13, 2021}}</ref> The Associated Press called it "the finest album of his career."<ref>{{cite news |agency= Associated Press |date= June 8, 2009 |title= Music Review: Snider finds humor in tough times |url= https://www.deseret.com/2009/6/8/20322379/music-review-snider-finds-humor-in-tough-times |newspaper= Deseret News |access-date= August 13, 2021}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' gave it four stars.<ref>{{cite magazine |last= Hermes |first= Will |date= June 8, 2009 |title= Todd Snider: The Excitement Plan |url= http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/27999157/review/28565381/the_excitement_plan |magazine= Rolling Stone |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090613014403/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/27999157/review/28565381/the_excitement_plan |access-date= August 13, 2021|archive-date= June 13, 2009 }}</ref> Robert Christgau gave it a B+ in his Consumer Guide.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Todd+Snider |title= Todd Snider: Consumer Guide Reviews|last= Christgau|first= Robert |website= Robert Christgau: Dean of American Rock Critics |access-date= August 6, 2021 }}</ref> The album went to number six on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Heatseekers Albums chart,<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/artist/todd-snider/chart-history/tln/ |title= Chart History: Todd Snider: Heatseekers Albums |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= June 26, 2009 |magazine= Billboard |access-date= August 13, 2021}}</ref> and number 31 on the magazine's Independent Albums chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/artist/todd-snider/chart-history/ind/ |title= Chart History: Todd Snider: Independent Albums |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= June 26, 2009 |magazine= Billboard |access-date= August 13, 2021}}</ref>

===2010s===
====Aimless label years====
On February 1, 2011, Aimless released a double-disc live album by Snider, ''Live: The Storyteller''. The album featured performances of songs spanning much of Snider's career along with some of the stories that have become a staple of his live shows.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-the-storyteller-mw0002093550 |title= Todd Snider – ''Live: The Storyteller'' |last= Deming |first= Mark |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 13, 2021}}</ref> The performances were selected from recordings of concerts in 2010, primarily from shows in [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]]; [[Asheville, North Carolina]]; and [[Ann Arbor, Michigan]], but also from his appearance that year at the [[Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival]]. On some of the selections, Snider is backed by the jam band Great American Taxi.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Sanders |first= Daryl |date= March 2011 |title= Todd Snider: East Nashville's Ambassador to the World |url= https://www.theeastnashvillian.com/todd-snider/ |journal= The East Nashvillian |access-date= August 13, 2021}}</ref> Christgau gave the album an A− in his Consumer Guide.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Todd+Snider |title= Todd Snider: Consumer Guide Reviews|last= Christgau|first= Robert |website= Robert Christgau: Dean of American Rock Critics |access-date= August 13, 2021 }}</ref> ''[[The Austin Chronicle]]'' said the album "does a magnificent job of capturing the onetime San Marcos scenester's genius, a heady combo of post-folk punk and stoned comedian."<ref>{{cite journal |last= Caliguiri |first= Jim |date= February 18, 2011 |title= Todd Snider, ''Live: The Storyteller'' (Aimless) |url= https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2011-02-18/todd-snider-live-the-storyteller/ |journal= The Austin Chronicle |access-date= August 13, 2021}}</ref> The album went to number seven on ''Billboard''’s Heatseekers Albums chart<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/artist/todd-snider/chart-history/tln/ |title= Chart History: Todd Snider: Heatseekers Albums |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= February 18, 2011 |magazine= Billboard |access-date= August 13, 2021}}</ref> and reached number 36 on the magazine's Independent Albums chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/artist/todd-snider/chart-history/ind/ |title= Chart History: Todd Snider: Independent Albums |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= February 18, 2011 |magazine= Billboard |access-date= August 13, 2021}}</ref>

After working with them on the road in 2010, Snider produced an album on Great American Taxi in 2011, ''Paradise Lost''. The record was released by the band's own label on February 22, 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.gratefulweb.com/articles/great-american-taxi-preps-todd-snider-produced-new-album |title= Great American Taxi Preps Todd Snider-Produced Album |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= September 28, 2011 |website= Grateful Web |access-date= August 13, 2021 }}</ref>

Also in 2012, Aimless released a pair of albums by Snider. The first, ''[[Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables]]'', was released on March 6 and included nine original songs plus a cover of Jimmy Buffett's "West Nashville Grand Ballroom Gown."<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/agnostic-hymns-stoner-fables-mw0002299179 |title= Todd Snider – ''Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables'' |last= Deming |first= Mark |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> The album's themes of economic inequality were widely noted. ''The East Nashvillian'' said Snider was a "one-man Occupy Wall Street" on the record.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Sanders |first= Daryl |date= March 2012 |title= Watch Out Wall Street |journal= The East Nashvillian }}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' called it "Occupy Nashville."<ref>{{cite magazine |last= Rosen |first= Jody |date= March 6, 2012 |title= Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/agnostic-hymns-and-stoner-fables-205437/ |magazine= Rolling Stone |access-date= August 14, 2021 }}</ref> Snider recorded the album at Eric McConnell's studio with McConnell co-producing and engineering as well as playing bass. Snider, who played acoustic and electric guitar and harmonica, was also accompanied on the record by violinist/backing vocalist [[Amanda Shires]], Great American Taxi keyboardist Chad Staehly, and drummer Paul Griffith. In addition, [[Jason Isbell]] contributed slide guitar and backing vocals to "Digger Dave's Crazy Woman Blues."<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/agnostic-hymns-stoner-fables-mw0002299179 |title= Todd Snider – ''Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables'' |last= Deming |first= Mark |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> The record earned an A grade in Robert Christgau’s Consumer Guide.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Todd+Snider |title= Todd Snider: Consumer Guide Reviews|last= Christgau|first= Robert |website= Robert Christgau: Dean of American Rock Critics |access-date= August 6, 2021 }}</ref> ''[[American Songwriter]]'' gave it four-and-a-half stars.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Weiss |first= Dan |date= 2012 |title= Todd Snider, ''Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables'' |url= https://americansongwriter.com/todd-snider-agnostic-hymns-stoner-fables/ |journal= American Songwriter |access-date= August 14, 2021 }}</ref> The album landed on three different ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' charts. It was number six on the Americana/Folk Albums chart,<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/artist/todd-snider/chart-history/flk/ |title= Chart History: Todd Snider: Americana/Folk Albums |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= March 23, 2012 |magazine= Billboard |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> number 15 on the Independent Albums chart,<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/artist/todd-snider/chart-history/ind/ |title= Chart History: Todd Snider: Independent Albums |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= March 23, 2012 |magazine= Billboard |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> and number 23 on the Top Rock Albums chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/artist/todd-snider/chart-history/rck/ |title= Chart History: Todd Snider: Top Rock Albums |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= March 23, 2012 |magazine= Billboard |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> It also made a number of year-end lists, most notably number five on Christgau's "Top 102 Albums of 2012."<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.yearendlists.com/2013/01/robert-christgau-top-102-albums-of-2012 |title= Robert Christgau: Top 102 Albums of 2012 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= January 13, 2013 |website= Year-End Lists |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> It also was ranked number 11 on ''American Songwriter''’s "Top 50 Albums of 2012,"<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.yearendlists.com/2012/12/american-songwriter-top-50-albums-of-2012 |title= American Songwriter: Top 50 Albums of 2012 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= December 18, 2012 |website= Year-End Lists |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> number 40 on both ''[[The Village Voice]]''’s Pazz and Jop: Top 100 Albums of 2012,<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.yearendlists.com/2013/01/pazz-jop-top-100-albums-of-2012 |title= Pazz & Jop: Top 100 Albums of 2012 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= January 15, 2013 |website= Year-End Lists |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]''’s "50 Best Albums of 2012,"<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.yearendlists.com/2012/12/paste-50-best-albums-of-2012 |title= Paste: 50 Best Albums of 2012 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= December 2, 2012 |website= Year-End Lists |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> and number 47 on ''Rolling Stone''’s "Top 50 Albums of 2012."<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.yearendlists.com/2012/12/rolling-stone-top-50-albums-of-2012 |title= Rolling Stone: Top 50 Albums of 2012 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= December 5, 2012 |website= Year-End Lists |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref>

On April 24, 2012, Aimless released Snider's tribute album honoring one of his early mentors, ''Time As We Know It: The Songs of Jerry Jeff Walker''. Produced by [[Don Was]], Snider was backed on the album by the members of Great American Taxi ([[Vince Herman]], acoustic guitar, mandolin, backing vocals; Chad Staehly, keyboards; Brian Adams, bass, backing vocals; Jim Lewin, electric guitar, backing vocals; and Chris Sheldon, drums, backing vocals.) In addition, [[Kix Brooks]], [[Elizabeth Cook]], and [[Amy LaVere]] were guest vocalists on the album.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/time-as-we-know-it-the-songs-of-jerry-jeff-walker-mw0002334086/credits |title= Todd Snider – ''Time As We Know It: The Songs of Jerry Jeff Walker'': Credits |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> ''[[PopMatters]]'' called the album "Snider's love letter to Jerry Jeff Walker."<ref>{{cite journal |last= Henderson |first= Stuart |date= May 22, 2012 |title= Todd Snider: Time As We Know It: The Songs of Jerry Jeff Walker |url= https://www.popmatters.com/158288-todd-snider-time-as-we-know-it-the-songs-of-jerry-jeff-walker-2495853846.html |journal= PopMatters |access-date= August 14, 2021 }}</ref> The album went to number 13 on the ''Billboard'' Americana/Folk Albums chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/artist/todd-snider/chart-history/flk/ |title= Chart History: Todd Snider: Americana/Folk Albums |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= May 18, 2012 |magazine= Billboard |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref>

====Hard Working Americans====
In 2013, Snider cofounded the jam band supergroup [[Hard Working Americans]] with [[Widespread Panic]] bassist [[Dave Schools]]. The band's lineup was Snider on vocals, Schools on bass, [[Neal Casal]] on guitar, Chad Staehly on keyboards, and [[Duane Trucks]] on drums. After they recorded their first album at [[Bob Weir]]’s [[Tamalpais Research Institute|TRI Studios]],<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= November 12, 2013 |title= Todd Snider Salutes Hard Working Americans in New Band |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/todd-snider-salutes-hard-working-americans-in-new-band-118032/ |magazine= Rolling Stone |access-date= August 14, 2021 }}</ref> they added a sixth member, guitarist and lap steel player Jesse Aycock.<ref>{{cite news |last= Wofford |first= Jerry |date= Aug 26, 2015 |title= Tulsa native Jesse Aycock is a Hard Working American and he's coming home |url= https://tulsaworld.com/lifestyles/tulsa-native-jesse-aycock-is-a-hard-working-american-and-hes-coming-home/article_c4418d26-3f92-53b1-b87b-af69d92a5837.html |newspaper= Tulsa World |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> The band's debut, ''[[Hard Working Americans]]'', was released by Melvin Records on January 21, 2014, and included 11 songs written by songwriters Snider admires, including [[Randy Newman]], [[David Rawlings|Dave Rawlings]] and [[Gillian Welch]], [[Kevn Kinney]], [[Hayes Carll]], and Will Kimbrough.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/hard-working-americans-mw0002602885 |title= Hard Working Americans – ''Hard Working Americans'' |last= Deming |first= Mark |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> Later that same year on October 28, Melvin released ''The First Waltz'', a two-disc set that included a CD featuring 11 live recordings by HWA plus a new studio recording with [[Rosanne Cash]], "Come From The Heart," and a full-length documentary film about the band directed by Justin Kreutzmann.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://toddsnider.net/2014/09/15/the-first-waltz/ |title= 'The First Waltz' Live Album & Rockumentary |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= September 15, 2014 |website= ToddSnider.net |access-date= August 14, 2021 }}</ref>

Melvin released Hard Working Americans’ second studio album, ''Rest in Chaos'', on May 13, 2016. The record featured a dozen songs with lyrics by Snider and music by the entire band, plus a cover of [[Guy Clark]]’s "The High Price of Inspiration."<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/rest-in-chaos-mw0002933285 |title= Hard Working Americans – ''Rest in Chaos'' |last= Deming |first= Mark  |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> ''[[American Songwriter]]'' gave the record four stars out of five.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Gerstenzang |first= Peter |date= 2012 |title= Hard Working Americans: ''Rest In Chaos'' |url= https://americansongwriter.com/hard-working-americans-rest-chaos/ |journal= American Songwriter |access-date= August 14, 2021 }}</ref>

On August 4, 2017, Melvin Records released a live double album by Hard Working Americans, ''We’re All In This Together''.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/were-all-in-this-together-mw0003071058 |title= Hard Working Americans – ''We're All In This Together'' |last= Monger |first= Timothy |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> Robert Christgau rated the album an A− in his Consumer Guide and called it "the rock dream the hippies invented before they burned out."<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Hard+Working+Americans |title= Hard Working Americans: Consumer Guide Reviews|last= Christgau|first= Robert |website= Robert Christgau: Dean of American Rock Critics |access-date= August 14, 2021 }}</ref> In the spring of 2017, the band went into Cash Cabin Studios and recorded more than an album's worth of material written by Snider, but those recordings have yet to be released.<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |title=Cash Cabin Sessions, Vol. 3 |first=Daryl |last=Sanders |others=Todd Snider |date=2019 |type=booklet |publisher=Aimless Records |location=Nashville}}</ref>

====Elmo Buzz and the Eastside Bulldogs====
In between his work with Hard Working Americans, Snider finished the album ''Eastside Bulldog'' which Aimless released on October 6, 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/eastside-bulldog-mw0002974376 |title= Todd Snider – ''Eastside Bulldog'' |last= Deming |first= Mark |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> While it was released under Snider's name, the material grew out of his side project/alter ego Elmo Buzz and the Eastside Bulldogs who specialize in ’50s and early ’60s rock and roll. Six of the ten songs originally appeared on an EP ''Shit Sandwich'' that Aimless released in 2011 as a free download under Elmo Buzz's name. Snider was backed on those sides by Eric McConnell on bass, Jen Gunderman on piano, Mark Horn on drums, and [[Dennis Taylor (musician)|Dennis Taylor]] on saxophone. In 2016, Snider cut four more sides to complete the album with backing from [[Aaron Lee Tasjan]] on guitar, Keith Christopher on bass, Paul Griffith on drums, Robbie Crowell on sax, and Rorey Carroll on percussion, among others.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/eastside-bulldog-mw0002974376/credits |title= Todd Snider – ''Eastside Bulldog'': Credits |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> ''The Irish Times'' called ''Eastside Bulldog'' "26 minutes of perfection that will rip your ears off."<ref>{{cite news |last= Breen |first= Joe |date= November 3, 2016 |title= Todd Snider - Eastside Bulldog: 26 minutes of perfection that will rip your ears off |url= https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/todd-snider-eastside-bulldog-26-minutes-of-perfection-that-will-rip-your-ears-off-1.2853348 |newspaper= The Irish Times |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> The record went to number 13 on ''Billboard''’s Americana/Folk Albums chart,<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/artist/todd-snider/chart-history/flk/ |title= Chart History: Todd Snider: Americana/Folk Albums |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= October 28, 2016 |magazine= Billboard |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> number 29 on the Independent Albums chart,<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/artist/todd-snider/chart-history/ind/ |title= Chart History: Todd Snider: Independent Albums |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= October 28, 2016 |magazine= Billboard |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> and number 41 on the Top Rock Albums chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/artist/todd-snider/chart-history/rck/ |title= Chart History: Todd Snider: Top Rock Albums |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= October 28, 2016 |magazine= Billboard |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref>

====Return to folk roots====
On March 15, 2019, Aimless Records released Snider's 13th studio album, ''Cash Cabin Sessions, Vol. 3''.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/cash-cabin-sessions-vol-3-mw0003242329 |title= Todd Snider – ''Cash Cabin Sessions, Vol. 3'' |last= Erlewine |first= Stephen Thomas |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> Coproduced with Chad Staehly, Snider returned to his folk roots on the solo acoustic album, playing all the instruments on the 10 songs recorded at Cash Cabin Studio in the fall of 2018. Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires added backing vocals to two of the tracks, "The Blues on Banjo" and "A Timeless Response to Current Events." Isbell also added a backing vocal to the single "Like a Force of Nature." Half the songs on the record were among those he recorded with Hard Working Americans at the studio in 2017.<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |title=Cash Cabin Sessions, Vol. 3 |first=Daryl |last=Sanders |others=Todd Snider |date=2019 |type=booklet |publisher=Aimless Records |location=Nashville}}</ref> Christgau graded the album an A  in his Consumer Guide.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Todd+Snider |title= Todd Snider: Consumer Guide Reviews|last= Christgau|first= Robert |website= Robert Christgau: Dean of American Rock Critics |access-date= August 6, 2021 }}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' gave it four stars.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Hermes |first=Will |date= March 14, 2019 |title= Review: Todd Snider Unplugs and Unloads on 'Cash Cabin Sessions Vol. 3' |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/review-todd-snider-806430/ |magazine= Rolling Stone |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> The record went to number three on ''Billboard''’s Independent Albums chart,<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/artist/todd-snider/chart-history/ind/ |title= Chart History: Todd Snider: Independent Albums |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= March 29, 2019 |magazine= Billboard |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> number 11 on the Americana/Folk Albums chart,<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/artist/todd-snider/chart-history/flk/ |title= Chart History: Todd Snider: Americana/Folk Albums |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= March 29, 2019 |magazine= Billboard |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> number 21 on the Vinyl Albums chart,<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/artist/todd-snider/chart-history/vnl/ |title= Chart History: Todd Snider: Vinyl Albums |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= March 29, 2019 |magazine= Billboard |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> and number 23 on the Album Sales chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/artist/todd-snider/chart-history/tsl/ |title= Chart History: Todd Snider: Album Sales |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= March 29, 2019 |magazine= Billboard |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref>

===2020s===
With the release of ''First Agnostic Church of Hope and Wonder'' by Aimless on April 23, 2021,<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/first-agnostic-church-of-hope-and-wonder-mw0003496212 |title= Todd Snider – ''First Agnostic Church of Hope and Wonder'' |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> Snider fulfilled his longtime vision of combining funk with folk. He produced the record and played most of the instruments on it, including electric bass, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo and piano. He also sang all the backing vocals. Robbie Crowell handled drums and percussion. [[Tchad Blake]] mixed the record, as well as contributed a few sonic and musical touches.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Sanders |first= Daryl |date= April 22, 2021 |title= Todd Snider Brings the Funk on His New LP  |url= https://www.nashvillescene.com/music/features/todd-snider-brings-the-funk-on-his-new-lp/article_51fcd7a4-5567-57c1-b31a-6815564efa03.html |journal= Nashville Scene |access-date= August 14, 2021 }}</ref> ''No Depression'' said the record showed Snider "in all his glory."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Carrigan |first=Henry |date=April 22, 2021 |title= 'First Agnostic Church of Hope and Wonder' Shows Todd Snider's Carnivalesque World |url= https://www.nodepression.com/album-reviews/first-agnostic-church-of-hope-and-wonder-shows-todd-sniders-carnivalesque-world/ |journal= No Depression |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' said it was "a raw portrait of a world-class songwriter processing calamity and chaos in real time."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Bernstein |first=Jonathan |date=April 29, 2021 |title= Todd Snider Processes Tragedy with Freewheeling Storytelling on 'First Agnostic Church of Hope and Wonder,' |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/todd-snider-first-agnostic-church-of-hope-and-wonder-1162837/ |magazine= Rolling Stone |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> Robert Christgau gave the album a B+ in his Consumer Guide.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Todd+Snider |title= Todd Snider: Consumer Guide Reviews|last= Christgau|first= Robert |website= Robert Christgau: Dean of American Rock Critics |access-date= August 6, 2021 }}</ref> The album reached number 21 on ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''’s Americana/Folk Albums chart<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/artist/todd-snider/chart-history/flk/ |title= Chart History: Todd Snider: Americana/Folk Albums |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= May 7, 2021 |magazine= Billboard |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref> and number 36 on the Album Sales chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/artist/todd-snider/chart-history/tsl/ |title= Chart History: Todd Snider: Album Sales |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= May 7, 2021 |magazine= Billboard |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref>

===Tribute recordings===
In addition to his own recordings, Snider has contributed covers to a number of tribute albums during his career beginning in 1996 when he teamed with [[Joe Ely]] on a cover of "Oh Boy" for the [[Buddy Holly]] tribute album, ''Not Fade Away (Remembering Buddy Holly)''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/Various-Not-Fade-Away-Remembering-Buddy-Holly/release/2543654 |title= Various – Not Fade Away (Remembering Buddy Holly) |author=<!--Not stated--> |website= Discogs |access-date= July 26, 2021}}</ref>

On August 16, 2004, Snider appeared at a tribute concert at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas, to honor [[Billy Joe Shaver]] on his 65th birthday.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.popmatters.com/various-tributebillyjoeshaver-2496142077.html |title= Various Artists: A Tribute to Billy Joe Shaver — Live |last= Horowitz |first= Steve |date= July 4, 2005 |website= PopMatters |access-date= August 6, 2021}}</ref> Snider's performance of Shaver's "Waco Moon" was included on ''A Tribute To Billy Joe Shaver - Live'', an album documenting the concert which was released on May 17, 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-tribute-to-billy-joe-shaver-mw0000655432 |title= Billy Joe Shaver – ''A Tribute To Billy Joe Shaver''  |last= Jurek |first= Thom |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 30, 2021}}</ref> In 2006, three tribute albums were released that included sides by Snider. He recorded "Maybe You Heard" for ''The Pilgrim: A Celebration of Kris Kristofferson'' released on June 27 of that year.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-pilgrim-a-celebration-of-kris-kristofferson-mw0000418620 |title= Various Artists – ''The Pilgrim: A Celebration of Kris Kristofferson'' |last= Tamarkin |first= Jeff |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 13, 2021}}</ref> He contributed "They Ain’t Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore" to ''Why the Hell Not: The Songs of [[Kinky Friedman]]'' released on September 26.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/why-the-hell-not-the-songs-of-kinky-friedman-mw0000457189 |title= Various Artists – ''Why the Hell Not: The Songs of Kinky Friedman'' |last= Deming |first= Mark |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 13, 2021}}</ref> And he covered "Traveling Light" for ''A Case for Case: A Tribute to the Songs of Peter Case'' released on October 2.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-case-for-case-a-tribute-to-the-songs-of-peter-case-mw0000720720 |title= Various Artists – ''A Case for Case: A Tribute to the Songs of Peter Case'' |last= Horowitz |first= Hal |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 13, 2021}}</ref>

Snider contributed a cover of "A Boy Named Sue" to the 2010 album, ''Twistable Turnable Man: A Musical Tribute to the Songs of Shel Silverstein''. The record also included covers by [[Kris Kristofferson]], John Prine, [[Bobby Bare]], [[Lucinda Williams]], [[Nanci Griffith]], and [[Black Francis]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/twistable-turnable-man-a-musical-tribute-to-the-songs-of-shel-silverstein-mw0001993455 |title= Various Artists – ''Twistable Turnable Man: A Musical Tribute to the Songs of Shel Silverstein'' |last= Allen |first= James |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 13, 2021}}</ref> In 2017, Snider covered "It Sure Was Better Back Then" for the tribute album ''An American Troubadour: The Songs of Steve Forbert'' which was released on October 6 of that year.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/an-american-troubadour-the-songs-of-steve-forbert-mw0003086881 |title= Various Artists – ''An American Troubadour: The Songs of Steve Forbert'' |website= AllMusic |access-date= August 14, 2021}}</ref>