Boiseans have been quick to latch onto Moscow troubadour Josh Ritter. And why not? He's a vastly talented singer-songwriter who's received international attention. After garnering a following in Ireland (it's a long story), Ritter has gone on to conquer most of the United States. Speaking of conquests, his latest CD, "The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter," was released on Sony Records. That means Built To Spill ain't the only major-label rock act in Idaho. (Not that being on a major means so much these days.) To top it all? Ritter has a reputation as a thoughtful, clever, down-to-earth guy. But you can tell that just by the way he handles himself on stage. (Or how he laughed when I decided he was the "Internet Dylan" because of his habit of using Wikipedia to research song subjects.)

If you can still get tickets to Ritter's full-band show — I'm guessing the Scene cover will sell whatever tickets remained in advance — you should go. If you don't consider yourself enough of a fan of the singer-songwriter genre to risk an Andrew Jackson, at least check out his free in-store performance at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Record Exchange. If you can fit through the door. I'm betting it will be packed, too.

Josh Ritter, 8 p.m. Saturday, Egyptian Theatre, $20, 387-1273