Minnesota based singer-songwriter Mary Cutrufello has spent over 20 years in the music business. This Yale-educated country crooner's forceful approach to Americana has garnered her respect throughout the genre and landed her spots playing with a list of legendary longhorns such as Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Billy Joe Shaver. She's been on the Tonight Show and toured with The Allman Brothers, Susan Tudeschi, and Gov't Mule. Although she is considered a honky-tonk wonder woman of sorts, it is her ability to rock that sets her apart. Cutrufello has said that "rock and roll is where I'm from, and as much as I love country, I have to give that part of me its voice too." Well, thank God for that, because the resulting dialogue is rather divine.

Mary Cutrufello performs Friday, October 25, 9:30 p.m. at Abilene Bar & Lounge, 153 Liberty Pole Way, $8-$12, abilenebarandlounge.com.