 Tony Schueller has been considered a traveling troubadour, a minstrel, a protest singer and yet his style eludes labeling. Out of youth, which belies his wisdom, original lyrics flow with a passion crying for change.. Peace, Love, traveling the journey - we have heard these themes before... but not like this. His guitar work invokes stunned responses and is described as simple magic. An organic style frames a voice layered With concern and hope. Still, more than anything Tony is a poet--a wordsmith searching for the answers to questions haunting us all.
 He was born in Coon Valley, a tiny farming village in Wisconsin, though in recent years he has wandered and found many homes along the road. His unique music has been heard around the country on street corners, in cafes and increasingly in front of larger crowds. His songs appeal to all ages and areas relevant to a protest rally or an environmental movement as they are to radio listeners.
Playing guitar for nearly half of his life has become an extension of Tony's being. He drifted into San Francisco and found himself left with only his guitar, while the instrument and the music ensured his survival. At times he slept in parks tied to his treasured instrument, praying it would still be there in the morning... he needed it to see him through the next day and get him home. The road, the earth, the goodness of people and his passion for peace are all elements of his songs.
His focus is songs for change, particularly dealing with environmental issues and peace. Tony understands the power of words, and hearing his words coupled with music, it is obvious that he is setting out to make a difference. When asked in a recent interview what was the best thing that could happen to him tomorrow, he answered, "to wake up and continue my music." He honesty believes the sole purpose of life is love - simply love.
 Family is what keeps Tony grounded and growing up they always allowed him the freedom to pursue his music. He is clearly influenced by greats like Doan, Cat Stevens, Bella Fleck, Gordon Lightfoot and Paul Simon, but also by the farmland of his childhood, the wisdom and guidance of his father and the dreams he always had. Growing up in Coon Valley gave him a perspective of the true beauty of nature. Even now he is most at home in the places least touched by "progress".
Today, a couple of record labels have expressed interest in this unique talent and there is talk of a record deal. He is often invited, to do session work and join other well-known performers on stage and he enjoys how that enriches his music. However, mostly these days Tony is looking ahead -looking for change, hoping for peace and expressing the love; through the music he believes all things are possible.
You can email Tony Schueller:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
tonyschueller.com
From the Horse Fly
"Song Line", by Brandt
Tony Schueller is different - he is different as a person and as a singer/songwriter. He comes from a place of innocence, yet somehow wisdom permeates his lyrics. His music is rooted in folk, and many songs reflect his influences---Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, As with so many musicians, Bob Dylan is also a major inspiration, so much so that be is often compared to a young Dylan. Tony is humbled and frightened by those comparisons, However, the similarities are there. His lyrics are in a Dylan vein, but Tony's voice is stronger, and his guitar playing more adventurous. Some songs though are different--cut from folk cloth but mixed with a dimensional edge (almost anger but not quite) and then wrapped up in hope. It's all delivered with his guitar, which is often like a duet between his voice and his hand on the strings. As Tony holds the guitar, one sees that it is not a normal instrument-it becomes something more like a thunder arid lightning storm, as he raises his voice above the action, crying for change- Tony does do folk-regular but also strays towards folk-rock and people are simply riveted at his shows,
Raised in a Wisconsin farming community, Tony wandered into Taos several years ago, and during the past year his music has attracted both respect and attention. A couple of record labels have expressed interest in signing him, and one of them is waiting for additional recordings. His songs speak to issues of peace, earth, and honest emotions, but differently than we have heard such things expressed before.
"
Long ago we were pure and clean
Then the earth began to hurt
Lumber mills and factories
Overcomes the luscious dirt
|
"The sky was bright with orange and red
Then faded into gray
The rivers, seas, and mountaintops were poisoned by the rain
Do we just look or now away?" |
|
-from "Our Calling of Today " by Tony Schueller. |
He plays regularly it the region and is increasingly becoming involved in peace and environmental movements. He played 'Nation" one of his many anti-war songs, at the October 26 Peace Rally, attended by more than 2,500 people, who then marched to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's home. Even Tony's regular shows are the type that people often talk about the next day; his songs make you think - tbey are songs for change, and he believes music has power. It is remarkable to witness his rapid and constant growth as a songwriter and performer, Many people agree that each time he writes a song it is his finest yet, as lyrics deepen and that guitar lights up. A week later his fans hear anotber new song and decide, once again - Tony Schueller has outdone himself-and each time it is different.
|
 UNCONVINCED TMCD0083
Tony Schueller guitar-and vocals.
1. U.S.A. 4:09
2. Shine 3:14
3. Cold Summer Rain 2:44
4. New Mexico Sky 3:27
5. Awaken 4:35
6. Our Calling of Today 2:44
7. Let Me Go 3:31
8. Nation 3:19
9. Freedom 2:42
10. War Path 4:14
11. Width of a River 2:56
12. I Owe Everything to You 2:45
13. Gone Before the Dawn 3:22
Recorded at John Golds Dead Horse Studios except "Freedom", recorded at Don Richmond's Howlin Dog Studios. All songs engineered by John Gold, except "Freedom" engineered by Don Richmond. All songs written and produced by Tony Schueller. Cover photo taken by Brandt. . Inside and back taken by Lenny Foster.
|
|
|
