Steve Hartmann on 'Tazday Twilight Blues' 2/22/11

Words and Photos by Julie Jay Seger

Folk singer-songwriter Steve Hartmann kicked it with us last night on the TazDay Twilight Blues show (every Tuesday from 8-9 P.M. on 105.9 F.M. The Radiator). Hailing from Philadelphia but now a Vermont resident, Steve began piano lessons at twelve and guitar at fifteen. After being the front man for rock/acoustic band, SIMON,  then taking a brief intermission on his music,  Steve is back as a solo artist and "going hard!"

You may have heard the stylings of Steve Hartmann around Burlington at venues like Nectar's, Metronome, The Half Lounge and Parima, where he will be playing a show this Saturday, February 26th at 8 P.M.

Steve's voice is emotive, distinct and powerful. It's a voice you haven't heard before; a voice with both range and rasp that nails the high notes with clarity and passion. Oh, and he has the guitar skills to back it up. Despite his talent, Steve admits he gets nervous before every performance, "until I start singing, then I can relax."

Last night Steve serenaded Taz, Shannon, myself and all you wonderful Radiator listeners with five songs including "Sweet Angel" and "Waking Up the Echoes," the title track of his soon to be released solo-album.  "Waking Up The Echoes" is an inspiring tune about having dreams pass you by, but reclaiming those hopes and remembering to "dream your greatest." It echoes Steve's determination to be a successful musician, a path he's been traveling for some time now since winning the 2003 Acoustic Guitar Search.  The best way to access Steve Hartmann's music? Check him out live. Or if you can't wait for that, hop over to Steve's reverbnation page.

After giving the entire studio chills with his cover of Rufus Wainwright's 'Hallelujah', it was time for Steve to pack his guitar away for the evening. Thanks to Steve for a great night and what was his favorite Radiator appearance to date. And huge props to the Tazday Twilight Blues show for hosting such incredible musicians like Steve, who is "on his way, so spread the word!"

Taz, Steve and Shannon, post-jam in The Radiator studio.