An unassuming fella with round glasses walks into the 4:30 AM Coffee Shop to chat with me about music and, dammit, I don’t even get to ask the first question. While I’m sipping my coffee, waiting for him to pay for his water, the girl behind the counter does a double take and asks, “Are you Derek Luttrell? I have your music on my iPod.”

I hope Derek gets used to that.

I first saw Derek play a few months back at Chi-Hi when he opened for Anna Johnson. He hadn’t even finished his first song when I realized this guy was something special. He tries telling me he’s only 21, but I won’t believe it until I see his driver’s license. He writes like Dylan (yeah I know this is a cliché, get over it, he does) and sings with the soul of Waylon.

Where does a kid (I’m 31 … I get to call him that) from Rockford, Illinois, that’s been married just a few years get off sounding like he’s carrying a lifetime of history in his voice? I’m not sure, but I’d resent the hell out of him if he weren’t such a cool and humble guy. When I asked him where he wanted this all to end, he’d told me he’d just be happy to be respected among fellow songwriters and make enough money to buy food. Not quite the answer you’d expect to hear from a 21 year-old.

We all learn by imitation, and while Derek lists Steve Earle, Justin Townes Earle, and Townes Van Zandt as his major musical influences, his music isn’t the kind that makes you say, “Hey … haven’t I heard that before?” Unless of course you’ve heard his music before. If you haven’t, check him out here: www.derekluttrell.com

Derek played again with Anna Johnson at the Heyde Arts Center on Saturday night. And once again he blew me away after one song. He told me that coming back here feels more like home than Rockford does.

Derek will be back to play (and promote his upcoming CD release) at the Living Room on August 12 and at The Mousetrap on September 16.

Let’s hope he visits more often.