The Sea Wasp (Ryk E. Spoor)

I think you're right about obscurity. Last year I tuned in Janis Ian for the first time - despite hearing At Seventeen on the radio as a kid, I couldn't have said who sang it; however, after hearing her SFWA filk of it now I do know her name. I have not yet purchased any of her CDs, but she's broken the first two barriers to that: I know her name and that I like her music. So far, so good.