James Victor "Vic" Chesnutt (November 12, 1964 - December 25, 2009) was an American (United States) singer-songwriter from Athens, Georgia. His first album, Little, was released in 1990, but his breakthrough to commercial success didnt come until 1996 with the release of Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation, a tribute album of mainstream artists covering his songs.cite weburl=Chesnutt, Singer and Songwriter, Dies at 45last=Sisariofirst=Benauthorlink=Ben Sisariodate=December 25, 2009work=The New York Timesaccessdate=December 25, 2009

Chesnutt released seventeen albums during his career, including two produced by Michael Stipe, and a 1996 release on Capitol Records. His musical style is described as a "skewed, refracted version of Americana (Americana (music)) that is haunting, funny, poignant, and occasionally mystical, usually all at once".cite weburl=of Rome: Overviewlast=Carrollfirst=Bryanpublisher=Allmusic.com (Allmusic)accessdate=December 27, 2009

Injuries from a 1983 car accident left him partially paralyzed; he used a wheelchair and had limited use of his hands.