This past Saturday, Billy Rhinehart hosted the latest installment of the Songwriters Showcase at Donkey Coffee and Espresso. The featured artists for the event were Todd Burge from Parkersburg, Athens Songwriter Bruce Armitage and Dan Driefort from the Cactus Pears. If you've never been to one of these songwriter shows (as I hadn't), you really should check out the next one. The performance format is really interesting. The idea is that a few songwriters get up on stage with their instruments and each takes a turn playing one of their songs and then it starts again and everyone takes another turn. This keeps it interesting and keeps all the players on the same level because no one is really 'featured'.

"[Billy Rhinehart] was playing one of his intensely unique homemade guitars that have made him a local celebrity of sorts" Credit Courtesy of The POST

Billy Rhinehart opened the night. He was playing one of his intensely unique homemade guitars that have made him a local celebrity of sorts (if you've never seen any of his guitars, check out his website at http://www.fishguitar.com). This made him the only performer not to use an acoustic guitar. He played a blend of folk and, as he calls it, "fake jazz". One song that I enjoyedin particular was about a voyeur who creates long and elaborate romantic fantasies in his head about people he sees on the street. Another one was a song he wrote years ago for a songwriting contest in which the winners song was to be recorded by Barbara Mandrell. He didn't end up entering it, however, because 'it was too good for Barbera Mandrell'.

Bruce Armitage, according to Billy, has a voice that makes 'strong people feel sensitive'. Bruce is a local songwriter who has been playing in Athens for years. His song had more of a definite folk influence and were played entirely on his acoustic as is the custom with this crowd. Although I couldn't really relate to any of his songs because of their obviously personal nature (another earmark of the singer/songwriter genre), I did find them to be molodious and easy to listen to. One of his songs that I really enjoyed was called 'The Goat Dance'. It had more of a bluesy feel than his others.

"Dan Dreifort's songs appealed more to me because they had more of a modern spin than the others"

Dan Driefort, who had to leave early to play a show with the Cactus Pears, added a unique sound to the mix. Being the youngest member of the group (he jokingly said at one point that he'd written a song just a couple years ago when he was seventeen), his songs seemed less folky and more like Cactus Pears-abridged. By that I mean that they sound as though they were made for more of a band setting. Don't get me wrong, they were great by themselves.

Sound Clips of Dan Dreifort
	Dignity Dan in O.S.J.P Sheary's Wing Dan in C.P. Superhero Dan in C.P

On one of his songs, he used two capos which I found confusing but intriguing at the same time. His songs appealed more to me because they had more of a modern spin than the others. Read about Dan and the Cactus Pears at http://www.cactuspears.com.

"At one point in the show, Todd Burge even got the audience to whistle along with him."

I especially enjoyed Todd Burge's songs. At points, his voice had a sound comparable to Hank Williams' and his songs were full of unique and interesting images and ideas. His first song, as far as I could tell, was about economic development (one of the lines was 'Uncle Sam Walton') which is an important subject to this area (just look at the bumper stickers around). Another song of his that I, and the audience, really liked was about a guy who loses his Jesus night light and goes nuts. At one point in the show, he even got the audience to whistle along with him. I'm always impressed by performers who succeed in persuading the audience to participate. For me, he was the highlight of the evening. You can check him out at www.toddburge.com Donkey Coffee is located at 17 1/2 W. Washington St. and features musical acts on Fridays and Saturdays.

Sound Clips of Todd Burge
	Whole Lotta Choice / Lost In Cleveland Full Time Drag Up in the Hills Of West Virginia