Todd Snider isn’t your average folkie. One glance at his influences — Bob Dylan, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, and even Mitch Hedberg — will tell you that both thoughtfulness and humor are integral to his writing style. Equal parts sage and jokester, Snider uses his skills to make wry commentary on everything from unemployment to religion.

Over the years, tastemakers like Rolling Stone have sung Snider’s praises, with the seminal music magazine calling him “America’s sharpest musical storyteller” and “the funniest folkie since John Prine” on separate occasions. Now, he’s touring to support The Storyteller, a new double-disc live album, and these accolades are as relevant as ever. The album features songs from Snider’s entire recording career, and it does well to showcase both his humor and politics, and the seemingly effortless way he balances the two. The album shows the songwriter at his best, engaging the audience with stories and blissfully playing old fan favorites.

That’s why we’re pleased to offer two tickets to see Todd Snider at the Belly Up on February 16. To enter the contest, just comment below and include your email address in the form (your email won’t be visible to the public). The winner will be chosen at random on February 15, 2011.