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Since 1996, Terri Hendrix (www.terrihendrix.com) has been one of Texas's most popular singer-songwriters, thanks to captivating albums, engaging live performances, and an infectious spirit. Recently, she's headlined at the Kerrville Folk Festival, been the subject of a cover story in the Austin American-Statesman's entertainment magazine, and received word that the Dixie Chicks are recording one of her tunes on their new album. To paraphrase one of Hendrix's lyrics, things are comin' 'round her way.

So it's a good time to be releasing a new CD, and The Ring provides Hendrix the opportunity to reflect on her musical career. It's a jungle out there, and judging from this CD, Hendrix has spent some time getting acquainted with the place. In some respects, this is a poetic journal of her years spent as an independent artist in a major-label world. Not that she minds going it alone; in fact, the lyrics here suggest quite the opposite. For those expecting sunny, buoyant pop, there's one cut - the delightful "Consider Me" - that will have you bopping about, but the remainder of these songs continue the introspective focus of her previous studio effort - the acclaimed "Places in Between" - only with a maturity and singularity of voice not found on "Places." And with an astonishing honesty: "I have little to show for what I've learned"; "I've lowered myself to the level of the games"; "I sleep alone because my heart has turned to granite."

The album - chosen by Performing Songwriter as one of the Top 12 DIY releases for the July/August 2002 issue - displays Hendrix's signature versatility, from the smart, lyrical pop of "Goodbye Charlie Brown" to the funky, bluesy "I Found the Lions," to the scat-driven, jazzy swing of "From Another Planet." Along the way, listeners are treated to the dark and experimental "Nighwolves" and the introspective "Spinning Off," an irresistible singer-songwriter gem buoyed by ringing guitar and harmonica. Two ballads provide balance to the album: the gorgeous, bittersweet "Long Time Coming," and the rootsy title cut, a moving account of the ring Hendrix's father crafted for her mother out of a 1955 half-dollar. (The catch? He'd work on the ring only during times of stress in his marriage-as a reminder of his love and devotion.)

Throughout The Ring, Hendrix's assertive voice complements her ambitious vocals. Her award-winning band, led my multi-instrumentalist and co-producer Lloyd Maines, keeps the music as compelling as the vocals with accomplished, inspired playing. While the CD will surely delight Hendrix's devoted fan base (her e-mail list now approaches 30,000), the album should also result in a new legion of converts.