We don't talk about Derek Webb nearly enough; he's a Christian singer-songwriter and once a member of the wildly popular, nationally-known, Houston-based Christian group Caedmon's Call, which would turn out thoughtful pop songs alongside straightforward praise music. I went to a Caedmon's Call concert once a long time ago at a church; I was a little out of my element, but the music was undoubtedly tight and often lovely.

Webb left the group to pursue a solo career, which has turned out to be a rather interesting one that has stayed firmly on the fringe of contemporary Christian music. He undoubtedly writes from a Christian perspective, but with an open mind, using his music to promote worthy causes. He performed at the Gay Christian Network Conference in Nashville earlier this month, likely inspired by a fight with his label over a song on his latest album, Stockholm Syndrome about the treatment of gay Christians. His label deemed it too controversial to put on the album, so it is offered for free on his website. Here's the video for the song, What Matters More:

I've also seen Webb live and he's a powerful performer. He's visiting his former hometown (he lives in Nashville) and performing a benefit show to raise money for Haiti earthquake relief tonight along with "others." Not sure who the others are, but trust me, you'll want to go to see Webb even if he's playing with a squirrel doing spoken word.

6 p.m. tonight. $10. Taft Street Coffee.