[1] As a teen, Osborne started playing guitar and listening to Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Jackson Browne, and Joni Mitchell records.

He was influenced by the vocal styles of Ray Charles, Van Morrison, Lowell George, Robert Johnson and recordings of African drumming.

This album also features guest appearances by Keb' Mo', Kirk Joseph and Tommy Malone.

Keb' Mo's 1999 Grammy Award winning album Slow Down, featured two songs co-written with Osborne.

[5] After his Shanachie recordings, Osborne worked as a professional songwriter in New Orleans and then in Nashville, first for PolyGram and then its successor Universal Music.

His song, "Watch the Wind Blow By," was recorded by the country musician Tim McGraw, hitting No.

"[6] Relix described the album as "raging, expressive guitar and soulful singing...from scorched-earth rock to sweet, tender ballads.

"[7] Since the release of American Patchwork, Osborne has toured virtually non-stop, performing with his own band, solo with Keb Mo, with The Stanton Moore Trio, with Toots and the Maytals, alongside Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe and with Luther Dickinson as well as with The Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars.

Recorded at Dockside Studio in Maurice, Louisiana, the album was produced by Osborne along with engineer Warren Riker and Galactic's Stanton Moore.

Blurt Magazine said, "Black Eye Galaxy is a work of art – a throwback to the days before corporations completely controlled and corrupted media and culture.

Kudos must go to Alligator Records – a great if not our greatest-blues label – for letting Anders Osborne follow his vision, inspire us with his story and dazzle us with his craft.

"[8] In late 2012, he was back in the studio recording a six-song EP entitled Three Free Amigos, which was released by Alligator early in 2013.

It was described by Relix as "rugged, soulful singing superb hard-hitting songs...A phenomenal blend of self-awareness, spirit and muscle.

Offbeat's Best of the Beat Awards pay tribute each year to musicians who are voted best in a variety of musical categories and genres.