Everyone has them, bands and musicians that have requested to be your friend on Facebook or MySpace.  Requests accepted to increase your numbers or because you like the idea of being friends with so many musicians and the cool points that you may earn in the realm of the online social network.  I'm one of those people.  I genuinely know a bunch of the bands that I have friended, having attended and photographed shows, but too I have added numerous artists under the guise of listening to their music based upon something as superficial as the way that they looked on their page.  In other words, I added them as a friend because they were visually appealing (insert HOT here) and not on the merits of their craft, i.e. music.  Admittedly this is the reason that I added Stephen Heller as a friend on MySpace.  (He is easy on the eyes.)  This, however, is not why he will remain on my friends list.

Last night I went to check out a show that Stephen was playing in Annapolis at the Sly Fox Pub.  I arrived a little before show time to meet with and discuss some items that he and I had previously discussed via email.  I found him very sweet and a joy to interact with and was hopeful that his demeanor would carry over to the stage.  I was not disappointed.  He pours himself into every song he sings, projecting to each and every person in the audience.  I am still in awe of the sound and performance that this one man delivers using only his voice and a guitar.  The word "amazing" does not due the experience justice, though addictive is more accurate.  Performing renditions of songs that I never thought I hear coming from a "white guy with a guitar", I was instantly mesmerized by "Heartless" (Kanye West) and "Baby Got Back" (Sir Mix-a-Lot).  I thought they were just going to be teasers to re-engage a potentially waning interest from the audience, the tunes were performed as part of the show and I will never hear them the same again.  His original music is heartfelt and poignant, stories and situations that everyone can relate to.  He sings of "Burning Bridges" and all I can think is that burning bridges has never sounded so good or been such an enjoyable experience.