Weekly showcase carries on despite construction

Three musicians took the stage at Players Pub last night.

Paul “Pablo” Adams, David Michael Kirk and Cathi Norton entertained the eager crowd as part of the weekly Bloomington Songwriter Showcase.
    
Six years ago, Suzette Weakley and Bobbie Lancaster, inspired by their experiences playing and attending songwriter’s showcases in Nashville, Tenn., decided to bring something similar to Bloomington.

Now, Weakley, Bloomington songwriters Dave McConnell and Tom Marshalek, a new member, continue to organize and sponsor the shows Weakley, Lancaster, McConnell and others helped bring to Bloomington.

“It got started, you know, Bobbie and I figured it’s like the mountain and Mohammed,” Weakley said. “If we can’t go to the mountain, then bring the mountain to Mohammed.”

Weakley said they attended open mic nights at Players Pub, and after talking with people involved with the open mics, they decided to put the showcase together.  
 
Doug Enoch, one of the original founders of the showcase, opened Players Pub with recently deceased owner Greg Hill nine years ago.

“My background is in music and songwriting, working with songwriters,” Enoch said. “When we opened up, I said at one point, ‘I want us to have a songwriters night.’ After awhile, when we could afford it, we started it. Then Suzette Weakley, Dave McConnell and Bobbie Lancaster, they came in and continued to work with the showcase to make it what it is now.”

Almost every Monday, the showcase features three or four performers, either locally-based or nationally known, at the Players Pub from 8 to 10 p.m.

Weakley said the recent construction in front of the Pub has hurt them, but she’s not too concerned.

“The construction has been rather unfortunate, gut it looks like it’s going to be an all right turn out tonight.” Weakley said.

As people slowly started filling the room, Adams opened the evening with a song about mercenary men.

Last Night’s Showcase

Paul “Pablo” Adams

Adams started playing music in his early teens at high school dances, under-21 clubs and other venues. He was raised in the “heartland” of the Midwest. He has traveled across the nation and beyond, performing from Alaska to Tennessee to Mexico.

Bill Wilson, one of Indiana’s most well-known singer and songwriters, became one of Adams’ mentors in the ’70s.

Adams described his music as “eclectic.”

“It goes from crazy to benign,” Adams said.

David Michael Kirk

Kirk was born in Terre Haute, Ind., but was raised in Bloomington. He started playing guitar at the age of 17. After high school and a couple years of military service, Kirk began traveling across the country. He has performed from Vermont to California.

He attended a school in Los Angeles, majoring in music and theatre. He played in various bands before partnering with Jon Cox for several years. He often opened for and backed up his father, Ronnie Cox.

Kirk plans to move back to Bloomington in spring 2013 and make it his home base between future travels.

“Since I got back, I couldn’t be happier,” Kirk said. “This is the place to be.”

Cathi Norton

Originally from Muncie, Norton, a local musician, has worked in the music industry for several years and is affiliated with the community radio station WFHB.

She was selected as one of three judges for the 2012 Blooming-Tunes Annual Song Contest.

Norton is currently a member of the musical project “GoZpel GurlZ.”

Norton was not originally scheduled to perform at last night’s showcase, but two performers, Mark LaPointe and Cara Jean Marcy, were unable to attend.