Steve Poltz at KAABOO festival Del Mar Scott Dudelson. WireImage via image SPACE. GETTYBaHOOTenzie is the latest festival that has been curated by musicians. It will take place on October 1st and 2. BaHOOTenzie FolkFest is named after a phrase that founder Steve Poltz used to say. It will include three days of songwriting camp followed by two days live music. You can purchase tickets for either the festival or camp.Joshua Tree Music Festival BaHOOTenzie * Joshua Tree Music FestivalPoltz and me both attended University of San Diego in the 80s. Our birthdays are almost one day apart. I've seen him gain traction with The Rugburns, based on their alternative radio hit Hitchhiker Joseph. Then came the huge success that followed from co-writing You Were Meant For Me (with Jewel), when neither of them were particularly well-known. The song's original version by Jewel sold more than 12,000,000 copies and she toured the globe with Poltz, her musical director.Since then, Poltz slowly gained a loyal following by playing shows at festivals and clubs, as well as hosting house parties and opening celebrations for the San Diego Public Library. Poltz performed a stunning show on a stage that jutted out into Mission Bay when San Diego lifted restrictions on public gatherings. It was a wonderful combination of his songs, stories, and laughter that flowed throughout the night. Many entertainers are able to tell stories and many singers can sing songs. Rarely is someone with Poltz's ability to captivate a crowd through intermixing stories and songs in a way that is new every time but familiar enough to everyone feel they are a part of the story.His fans are loyal. Half of those at the reopening concert recognized me, many of whom have seen him everywhere, from the Belly Up in Solana Beach, where Poltz holds an annually celebrated his 50th birthday to the Casbah, where many a New Years eve party has been held, or anywhere from KAABOO to singing the National Anthem before his Padres take to the field.Steve Poltz at rest Jeff FasanoConnecting with their audiences and building a career are the best gifts for entertainers. They have the talent to draw fans, but also the emotional intelligence to read the room and create intimacy between them and the audience. His ethic is reflected in the song I Want All my Friends To Be Happy, which was one of Poltz's later songs. During the Covid pandemic when live shows were not possible, Poltz kept in touch with his fans by playing live streamed shows and busking on Facebook, answering any requests that came to him.Poltz's essential performance skill is as a troubadour. His quick and humorous way of telling stories during performances sometimes hides his depth as a guitarist player. He is both a great classical guitarist and a human jukebox, with a huge library of songs stored in his memory. He once tuned his guitar to a note that I don't believe exists in nature. It was almost as if Elon Musk had taken leave of his unique baby name to create the most difficult string combination to tune a guitar. Poltz quickly figured it out, and adapted a song for it. Then, while playing that song, he transitioned back into Hitchhiker Joe. The whole audience joined in a song-and-dance of one of Poltz's most well-known songs, now in a different key and tempo. This is when talent transcends, when everything can be adapted to deliver the message to the audience in a way that elevates the event.This is the audio and video podcast of our conversation. Watch or listen. It's one of my favorite songs.If you're interested in experiencing the Poltz Adventure, visit his website (Poltz.com). You can find shows in your area on his website. You can also make a reservation for DelFest in September or October to see him at BaHOOTenzie. Tell him that I sent you and then be prepared to entertain.DELFESTDelFest - Home
