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Born in Michigan, Frank was reared as a "typical jock" who secretly longed to pen the Great American Novel. He joined the Peace Corps and served for two years in Venezuela - an experience that changed his life. "Being away from America gave me the distance to look at my country and into myself with greater clarity," he says. "I discovered myself." Returning to Michigan to finish school, he found himself writing music and playing regionally with friends and bands. His first album, Saloon Music, was a collaborative project with other area musicians, and his song "All the Years" received substantial regional airplay. Despite growing success as a singer and songwriter in the Midwest, he visited New Mexico for the first time in 1976 and found himself drawn to its beauty and a palpable spirit reminiscent of Venezuela. He settled in Albuquerque, where he assembled the "Small Band" and started playing around the area. His second recording, a country-folk collection called Keep Me Riding, helped establish his reputation as one of the Southwest music scene's most original and unique voices. One critic wrote, "It represents the kind of winsome, lazy-paced music that first made country so popular... the instrumental arrangements are tasty... the vocals are beautiful!" Despite the success, Frank took a hiatus from music, focusing on the beauty of the land and his horses. He might have stayed away from music altogether had he not rediscovered the work of two legendary singer-songwriters: Ian Tyson and John Stewart. Particularly inspired by Tyson's Old Corrals and Sagebrush, Frank says, "It gave me the kick in the ass I needed to pick up my Martin again." And in 1991, Frank recorded Watching My Backtrail. The song "Choices" was nominated for "Best Musical Production in Acoustic Folk" by the New Mexico Music Industry Coalition (NM MIC) Awards. His 1993 CD release, Summer Colors, expanded his songwriting palette. He describes the project as his "freedom CD" - a collection of songs about life in transition. With Summer Colors, Frank Schultz cemented his own distinctive voice and style. The CD went on to receive extensive airplay not just on folk-oriented radio stations, but Country and Easy Listening stations, as well. His follow-up 1996 CD, A Day Like This, was a far more joyous effort, a "celebration of observations." It is his most successful release to date. Frank's love affair with New Mexico and music continues today. A vital force in the southwest acoustic music scene, he was instrumental in the development of the acclaimed songwriters series at The Outpost in Albuquerque - his favorite gig. He is working to expand his tour base outside of New Mexico. Check out the artist's website: http://fortissimo.org/artists/schultz Track List: 1. Papa's New Ford 2. Out of Tune Waltz 3. Mary's Song 4. Sally Got a Job 5. Pointed South to Texas 6. Stuck With You 7. Ray's Song 8. Anytime 9. Momma Don't Know Me 10. Would You Miss Me 11. A Westbound Train Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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