Welcome to the inaugural edition of Pick Three, your guide to some of the upcoming awesomeness at SXSW brought to you by artists, industry, and the SXSW staff.

First up is Two Tone Tommy of My Morning Jacket. TTT, MMJ’s bassist (and excellent husband to yours truly) is looking forward to the band’s return to SXSW. It will be their first show with us since their still talked about (by me, anyway) performance at Buffalo Billiard’s in 2002. Thanks to my pal Louie Bandak, I witnessed a set amazing enough to make me drop my LA life and follow them on tour and then to Kentucky (KY!) for the rest of eternity, so you know they must be good.

For a look at my other upcoming feature, the LP Questionnaire (and to learn more about TTT), click here.

And without further ado, here’s Two Tone Tommy’s Pick Three for SXSW ‘08.

Ice Cube: Sometimes I wonder if Cube’s current kid-friendly image has dulled his brutal & commanding delivery. I’d reckon not.

Drug Rug: Questionable band name aside, this couple write some cute songs. A kinda lo-fi Byrds or psychedelic, sweeter GBV. I’m curious to see if they’re as much fun live as they sound on record.

Dolly Parton: Only Dolly could make Collective Soul’s “Shine” (a song that, 14 years later, still makes me want to scoop my eyeballs out with a spork) listenable. If you don’t have a soft spot for the lady then you’re just not human says I.

Thanks for reading… Check back tomorrow for more Pick Three goodness! Questions or comments (regarding the blog only, please), email musicblog@sxsw.com.