Bill Schulz hosts "Song Writer Showcase at Kavarna"

Review of Bill Schulz hosting the "Song Writer Showcase at Kavarna" in Green Bay, WI

By TJ
October 15, 2009
Tonight marked the return of the "Song Writers Showcase" at Kavarna Vegetarian Coffee House on Broadway downtown Green Bay. Welcoming everyone is the new host Bill Schulz. Bill has been involved in music his entire life and his musical roots are deeply grounded in the area. Bill has opened for bands like the Violent Femmes, Bo Deans, The Posies, and even the Beach Boys, with in his ever expanding musical timeline. Honestly I know of no musician that is quite like Bill. Bill's sound style and sensitivity are unmatched in anyway, I guess you could take pop rock, alternative, roots music and Nate King Cole throw it in a blender, drink it down and you might come out sounding a little like Bill, but don't take my recipe for it. I'm sure Bill's sound comes from his intense dedication to life, love, and music. So Kavarna and the local community of musicians and music loving patrons have landed a jackpot by having Bill host the "Singer Song Writer Showcase."

Now the showcase is a perfect event to check out a lot of local talent in one night, much like an open mic, the songwriter showcase focuses on original song writing and performing. While it is set up for solo acoustic performances a few musicians are accompanied. The music really adds to the laid back fresh cafe vibe at Kavarna, I love the variety the showcase has to offer, musicians amateur to pro work it out on stage trying new songs and some finishing older ones. I showed up a little later and I missed a few songs by Bill Schulz and Z - Man, I did, however, catch a few songs from Palmer and Alex Shah, Dave Perron, Eric Koeppel and Dane Stewart-Disch. I've become a pretty big fan of Palmer and Alex Shah's work. Palmer's energy on vocals and guitar with Alex on lead guitar and harmonica make for great Americana roots songs with an alternative, indie twist. Dave Perron from Colorado out on tour with his band played some real deep vocal country folk on acoustic guitar. His band The Laughing Bones will be playing at Jimmy Sea's tomorrow night! Erik Koeppel took me by surprise with his folk tunes; his lyrics are brilliant. Check out Erik's video. Dane Stewart-Disch put down some really fun blue grass songs on the mandolin like "Whiskey is a grown mans milk." I even took a stab at performing a song I had written from way back in the day, it was a little rusty but heck, it was a chance to play on Bill Schulz beautiful Lavaree acoustic guitar. Bill wrapped up the night with a couple of really beautiful songs. I love how Bill sneaks in jazz elements into his songs and how he makes such a complex note structure sound so familiar and cool. Bill is one of a kind and the perfect person to carry on the great Song Writer Showcase that Adam Mackintosh helped grow over the past year. Kavarna is the perfect place to relax with some friends and enjoy some great music, coffee and food in downtown Green Bay.

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