Local Songwriter Returns to the Chattanooga Stage

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Aug. 2, 2015 - PRLog -- "There's no place like home... there's no place like home," said the young girl from Kansas in the famous 1939 fantasy adventure film, Wizard of Oz.

And, even though he wasn't born here, the Cleveland, TN based songwriter known as A Man Called Bruce considers Chattanooga (and the surrounding area) his home.

Bruce rediscovered his songwriting muse shortly after moving to the beautiful Tennessee Valley in 2008. It prompted him to get back into performing live, although he has been on and off the stage for over 35 years.

With help from the fine people at WUTC-FM 88.1, such as Mark Colbert, Cleveland Carlson, Mike Miller, Richard Winham and others, he has been able to bring his original music to radio audiences in the Chattanooga area since 2010.

Bruce is also quick to mention the inspiration and support he received from his involvement with the Chattanooga Songwriters Association. He is proud to have been named "Songwriter of the Month" by the organization in July 2012. "They are a group of dedicated and talented songwriters. I was honored to be given the award, along with others that year."

At the end of 2012, A Man Called Bruce embarked on a cross-country tour which started in Charlotte, NC and headed west. Stops included Nashville and Memphis, TN; Oklahoma City, OK; Albuquerque, NM; Phoenix, Tucson, and Tempe, AZ; Seal Beach, CA; El Paso and Austin, TX. In the past few years his out-of-town gigs have taken him as far east as Washington, DC (Alexandria, VA specifically). Since then, however, he has stayed closer to home here in the southeast with gigs in North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, and other cities in Tennessee.

In the quest to bring his original "Swamp-o-phonic" roots, rock and blues music to more people who might enjoy it, A Man Called Bruce decided last year to focus on performing almost exclusively in Nashville at Opry Mills Mall. It was an answer to the simple question he had been asking himself, "Where can I find the biggest audience for my live shows and also reach people who don't get to hear live music?"

Bruce says that performing in a family atmosphere, like the humungous shopping mall in Music City, offers him exposure he doesn't get when playing restaurants, bars and coffeehouses. "Pretty much everyone goes shopping. Senior citizens... parents with their kids... everyone," he said. "Performing on stage in the middle of the mall gives people access to live music, who might not otherwise go out for a night on the town." He added, "Besides, I get a real kick out of seeing little kids drag their parents over to sit and watch me play. I don't know why, but toddlers seem to really like my music. I think it's the beat that draws them in. They bounce around and smile from ear to ear." This is a strange phenomenon, since his songs all have mature themes about love and loss, which is why his music fits solidly in the blues rock category.

Another advantage of playing gigs at the mall is that Opry MIlls enjoys patronage from visitors who come to Nashville from all over the world. "I always ask for a show of hands from people who actually live in Nashville. There's not too many, I can tell you."

Now, with the release of his latest album, LIVE in the Studio, A Man Called Bruce introduces radio listeners to the sound of his live performances. On stage, he plays electric guitar and harmonica accompanied by high-quality, prerecorded drum tracks (not a programmed drum machine). Songs from the new album are currently available for download exclusively on his website http://AManCalledBruce.com until he decides to make them available on iTunes, where you can also find his other 3 solo studio albums.

This Friday, August 7th beginning at 6:30pm, A Man Called Bruce will be performing at Slick's Burgers, located at 309 E. Main Street in Chattanooga. His return to Chattanooga venues after more than a year is something Bruce has been looking forward to with great anticipation. He said, "I really feel like this is a homecoming, of sorts. I'm hoping to play here in town much more in the future."

Visit Slick's Burgers online at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Slicks-Burgers/24180682930...

You can also hear a recent interview on WUTC.org or tune in to 88.1 FM to hear his music.