Register 38 Seats Remaining

SSG Songwriter Spotlight Series

Three artists from Skylands Songwriters Guild perform

Come hear three local singer-songwriters -- Stephen Clair, Frank Critelli, and Steve Kunzman -- perform for 30 minutes each.

Come hear three local singer-songwriters -- Stephen Clair, Frank Critelli, and Steve Kunzman -- perform for 30 minutes each.

Stephen Clair's grandfather played young Stephen a Johnny Cash record when he was five years old, and that's everything Stephen remembers from his youth. Best known for his wry humor and guitar stylings, the Beacon, NY musician has been a fixture on the Americana, alt-country, and dorky independent rock scene since his 1997 debut, Altoona Hotel, named for the town his grandfather called home. He's released many more albums over the years and toured and done all the things, experiencing
all the near misses of life in the biz. Clair first came to prominence when the late Rita Houston pronounced her love for "Jen in Her
Underwear," adding it to regular rotation on WFUV, thereby putting Clair on the map and the road. His next effort was Under the Bed, followed by What Luck (2007.) In 2019, Clair teamed up with celebrated producer Malcolm Burn (U2 and Emmylou Harris), the result, an epic garage album, Strange Perfume. Paste Magazine declared "Clair's lyrics are everyman poetry with a dash of self-deprecation and gallows humor to go with his otherwise uncluttered views of the world around and within him.”
Rawboned, his latest effort, The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, features only Clair and a
guitar, except when it's Clair and a rickety piano. The songs are miniature stories, the essence of
emotion, and the arrangements and performances fit accordingly.  WEBSITE: https://www.stephenclair.com/

Frank Critelli: Poet, philosopher, raconteur, busker, disc jockey, teacher, gardener — all these and more describe Frank Critelli, a tireless advocate and beacon for local music whose voice soars higher and stronger than Castle Craig in his Meriden, Connecticut, hometown. For more than 30 years, Frank has played in streets and subways, clubs and coffeehouses, barrooms and classrooms, colleges, festivals, theaters, and in his kitchen. Those who have seen him live know that’s when he’s in his element. Frank writes songs and often performs live. Many times solo, and sometimes accompanied by one or more musical co-conspirators. Currently he is one-third of original music trio The Bargain. But whether you see him solo or with a band, you’ll come away entertained, energized, and possibly enlightened. With Rick Allison, Frank co-hosts The Local Bands Show on WPLR 99.1 FM in New Haven and streaming on CygnusRadio.com. In addition, he contributes to the scene with performances and interviews, and by organizing events such as the Olde Church Acoustic Series. WEBSITE: https://qsilver.com/frankcritelli.com/

Steve Kunzman, a New Jersey-based singer-songwriter, has been playing guitar since childhood.  He has released two original song collections, “Find the Moon” and “Back Home,” available on CD and all streaming platforms. Steve is currently working on his third collection. Steve has performed across the Northeast, both solo and with bands. He often works as a sideman with other songwriters playing guitar, dobro, mandolin, and banjo, and singing harmony. Steve is currently a board member of the Skyland Songwriters. More information is available on Steve’s WEBSITE: www.stevekunzmanmusic.com

Skylands Songwriters Guild is an educational non-profit organization [501 (c) (3)] dedicated to nurturing the community of Singer/Songwriters of Northwest New Jersey and the surrounding region. We seek to provide enlightenment for the public, revealing the talents of songwriters, and to offer educational and performance resources for artists to advance their craft.  

This showcase is made possible by the Skylands Songwriters Guild.  Register online or by calling the library at (973) 584-2400.

Upcoming events