Who The Fuck Is Steve Poltz: The Woody Guthrie Center
September 27th, 2019 - Steve Poltz brought his energy, sense of humor, and his keen storytelling abilities to the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The prominent singer/songwriter has been at it for over twenty years since his full-length solo debut in 1998, One Left Shoe. Since then, Steve has released thirteen solo albums to include his most recent release on March 1st, 2019, Shine On. So, who the fuck is Steve Poltz?
Steve Poltz began his musical career in the band, The Rugburns, with Robert Driscoll, in 1992. The duo would evolve into a quartet from 93-96, and from 97-present they are a three-piece featuring Steve Poltz, drummer “Stinky,” and bassist John Castro. The San Diego band would go on to release their debut album, Morning Wood, in 1994. This would lead to some notoriety and popularity as they played sold out shows with songs like “Hitchhiker Joe” and “Me and Eddie Vedder.” The tune, “Hitchhiker Joe,” would gain a lot of national exposure on the mainstream airwaves and held the number one spot on the nightly “Top 10” for several weeks on San Diego radio station 91X in early 1994.
The Rugburns would release an EP, Mommy I’m Sorry, in 1994 and a full-length album, Taking the World By Donkey, in 1995. “Dicks Automotive,” from the EP, is a staple song of The Rugburns and even inspired Weird Al to write his tune, “Albuquerque.” During this time, Poltz was also busy working on his solo career. Poltz released two albums in 1998 under Mercury Records. He was then dropped by the label and has spent the rest of his career releasing his work as an independent artist.
Over the span of twenty plus years, Poltz has released thirteen albums and has played thousands of live shows. He played his show at the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with the same kind of energy you’d expect from a first show. The passion and the love for what he is doing is very prominent in his performance and can be seen with his interactions with the audience. The Woody Guthrie Center Theatre is an intimate listening room that provided an up close and personal experience for Steve’s set. He started the evening with the title track from his most recent album, Shine On. He then played a couple of instrumentals and moved into his tune “All Things Shine,” a song that Steve wrote after one of the frequent mass shootings that have taken place in the United States. “‘All Things Shine’ came about after one of the many mass shootings on this planet,” he sighs. “I was feeling overwhelmed. So, I wanted to put my feelings into words and melody. I was thinking that even if we’re feeling hopeless that there is still beauty. All things shine in their own way.” Poltz then played “Over The Top For You” as he literally ran all around the theatre stage.
Steve talked a great deal about his father, who is 89 years old, and had lost his wife. Poltz told a story about how his dad wanted to immediately clean out all of her belongings from the home after her passing. He talked about how all the things laying around made his dad very sad. Steve said that he was helping clean out her clothes and move some furniture. His dad had mentioned that his mom wanted to play some Gin Rummy, but they couldn’t find any cards at the time. While moving the furniture, a deck of cards hit the floor. On them it read, “Gin Rummy.” He also played an audio recording of his dad reading a very moving poem that he had written called “Time Travel.” Steve loves his dad and very much cherishes the time that he has left to spend with him on this earth.
Jimmy LaFave was also another topic of discussion from Poltz. LaFave, who passed away on May 21st, 2017, was an Oklahoma native and supporter of Woody Guthrie. Jimmy was an annual performer at the Woody Guthrie Center’s yearly anniversary celebration. Steve told the story about Jimmy’s last performance at the anniversary and the Bob Dylan song he performed. The song was “Not Dark Yet,” and Steve said that he cried as he listened to Jimmy play that song, knowing that Jimmy had been sick. Steve played the song in the Woody Guthrie Center Theatre, pausing in the middle to catch his breath and his composure. It was a touching and moving moment, as if time stood still, and so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Executive Director of the Center and friend of Jimmy LaFave and Poltz, Deana Stafford McCloud, approached the stage to give Poltz a hug at the completion of the song.
So, who the fuck is Steve Poltz? Steve is a singer, songwriter, entertainer, a son, father, and much more. A free spirit. He’s fourteen years sober. A survivor of a stroke in 2016, he endured anything the music industry could throw at him, and still performed 280 days a year. NPR summed it up best, “Critics and fans alike now regard Poltz as a talented and prolific songwriter.” He co-wrote Jewel’s multiplatinum Hot 100-topping megahit, “You Were Meant For Me.” Steve Poltz is a living legend. A true folksinger by definition. Steve Poltz is someone that you should buy a ticket to go see. You won’t be more entertained anywhere else. I promise. That’s Steve Fucking Poltz.
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