Who are my singer-songwriting heroes and why?

In no particular order:

Loudon Wainwright III Your Mother And I

Boo Hewerdine Footsteps Fall

Jackson C Frank Blues Run The Game

Bert Jansch Blackwaterside

Tim Hardin Black Sheep Boy

Leonard Cohen Famous Blue Raincoat

Harry Nilsson Without Her

Bob Dylan Desolation Row

John Renbourn and Dorris Henderson Winter Is Gone

Joni Mitchell A Case Of You

Van Morrison Ballerina

Chris Wood Hollow Point

Steve Earle John Walker's Blues

Neil Young Only Love Can Break Your Heart

Tell me if you'd like more...