Bill Hartmann
His recordings and live performances display an expressive vocal and storytelling style influenced by Harry Chapin, Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens and Jim Croce. Hartmann's use of a Seagull 12-string guitar, with its unique chiming tones, adds to the originality."
-Bill Meredith, Music Columnist, THE PALM BEACH POST
...Just give me one more show before you take me home,
Let me do the things I love with all the friends I've come to know.
At night before I close my eyes, I pray tomorrow I will rise.
So I can play just one more show, before the angels Take Me Home...
Following his own performance at the Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival, Bill Hartmann stayed behind to watch the final acts. He was deeply moved when one of the songwriters announced that health struggles made this their very last show. The artist closed by thanking the audience for years of loyalty, and expressing gratitude to their co-writers for a lifetime of shared music and friendship. In honor of this poignant moment, "Take Me Home" is dedicated to the memory of songwriter Rick Irwin.
...The love you thought was meant to be is now a distant memory.
Everything you trusted to believe in
just blown away like pages in the wind.
And they drift away Just Like Water under the bridge...
Just Like Water offers a nine-track journey through the complexities of life, love, and time. This beautifully curated collection highlights Hartmann's exceptional storytelling, brought to life by producer Fernando Perdomo and Grammy-winning mastering engineer Zach Ziskin. Reflecting on the project, Perdomo celebrates Hartmann as a "great lyricist" who weaves deep, meaningful messages into captivating narratives.
“Bill approaches his tunes in the mould of the great folk rock, blues rock and country rock artists of yesteryear. There is that iconic ‘Americana’ sound reimagined to fit such original compositions as ‘Someone That You Never Really Knew’, ‘The One Who Stayed’, and his festive gem, ‘Missing You At Christmas’.“
– Tom Hilton, ALDORA BRITAIN RECORDS
...Every Now and Then I wonder about the road that lies ahead
will I keep on playing music
with the songs stay in me head....
Spanning 30 years of his musical journey, Now and Then is a curated collection of Hartmann’s songwriting. Much like his primary inspiration, Harry Chapin, Hartmann uses his music to weave compelling narratives. Tracks like "You" and "Sorry" showcase his knack for exploring poignant life lessons, while the album as a whole maps his growth as both an artist and an individual.
...I'll be Missing You at Christmas as I sit beside the tree unwrapping all my presents, the ones you left for me.
And Im trying to be happy and I hope that you will see.
I'll be Missing You at Christmas, Missing you at Christmas,
but I'll toast the life you lived on New Year's Eve...
Following the loss of his beloved dog, Bill Hartmann channeled his grief into songwriting. Noticing how the festive season can magnify personal heartache, he wrote "Missing You at Christmas" to capture the bittersweet experience of remembering loved ones amidst the holiday rush. The track beautifully explores the emotional delicate balance of honoring cherished traditions while paying tribute to those who are no longer here to share them.
"Bill's music features cadences reminiscent of classic James Taylor with beautiful harmonies lyrical finesse and outstanding 12-string guitar playing!"
-Matthew Sydney, INDIEFLORIDA, BLOG TALK RADIO