Growing up in a musical family makes for an interesting childhood. Independent artist Stuffy Shmitt says he can’t remember a time when making music wasn’t part of his life. His mother was a jazz drummer and songwriter who regularly hosted a house full of musicians and his father was a guitar player. Shmitt began making music for himself at twelve years old when a family friend left a semi-hollow body Gibson guitar and an amp at his house for storage and the gear ended up in Shmitt’s childhood bedroom. By the time he was fifteen, his frequent and volume heavy rehearsals in the basement of his family home had loosened the tiles in the foyer floor above. And Shmitt was permanently hooked.

On his new release, Family Favorites (2008), a collection of fifteen original tunes, Shmitt does what he does best – sing, play guitar and tell stories. A true American song writer, his signature lyrical and melodic craftsmanship artfully weave his rock, blues - and even a hint of country - influences, all infused with Shmitt’s definitive moods and ever-present humor.

Family Favorites takes the listener on a semi-autobiographical sonic tour of Shmitt’s woeful observations as he and those closest to him stumble, kick, scream, falter and embrace life at its toughest and poignant best. The moods range from manic to somber, passionate to disenchanted… all with an under-pinning of humor and hope. It is this light amidst the darkness that makes Shmitt’s songs infinitely listenable. The sensitivity of Shmitt’s viewfinder on the world gives his words, music and rich vocals a tender, hard hitting and universal appeal. His songs resonate deeper with each listen.

Shmitt wears his producer hat well, layering lush sounds expertly and sparingly to drive the songs without overwhelming his message. His guitar tracks and vocal prowess demonstrate a well-developed talent. Most admirably, Shmitt keeps it real, never straying far from where his talent sits strongest and what his fans yearn to hear… melodic, lyric driven American rock n roll, seamless guitar playing and a strong, masculine vocal full of grit and authenticity only gained from experiencing life on the edge and as a grand adventure.

On Other People’s Stuff, Shmitt delivers an upbeat and thoroughly enjoyable musical journey of fourteen cover tunes, expertly spanning decades and genres. Shmitt’s interpretation of these songs is a departure from his previous two self-penned releases, Dog Steal The Moon and Nothing Is Real (Realistic Records). Yet his understanding and respect for the songwriting process is clearly evident, shining through in his production, musical arrangements, mixes and vocal performances.

Shmitt’s supporting cast of players on Other People’s Stuff is outstanding and includes special appearances by celebrities and legends such as David Johansen (NY Dolls, Buster Pointdexter, The Harry Smiths), Levon Helm (The Band), Gordon Gano (Violent Femmes), Jayotis Washington (The Persuasions), Willy DeVille (Mink DeVille), and Stockard Channing (The West Wing, Grease).

Through his production choices on Other People’s Stuff, Shmitt pays tribute to the original songwriters and performers of the tunes, while at the same time putting his personal thumbprint on the work, making it fresh and undeniably his own. His lush vocals and top-notch guitar playing make the CD timeless and infinitely listenable.The CD possess the warmth of the past, yet manages to be thoroughly modern.

On Dog Steal The Moon, Shmitt followed up the critical success of his debut release, Nothing Is Real, by delivering a new collection of original songs; Shmitt’s trademark ballads are made even more poignant, on Dog Steal The Moon, by their juxtaposition to a set of uptempo rockers that prove Shmitt’s ability to crank it up. (Anyone who has seen Shmitt perform live already knows the boy can rock.) Written, performed, arranged and produced by Shmitt, this independent artist demonstrated with his first two albums his audio-fluency, and capacity to conceptualize and actualize his project. His confessional style of writing possesses a familiarity and a uniqueness. “A singular voice whose songs get as much power from the words as from the music... lyrically poetic,” wrote New York Post rock reviewer Dan Aquilante.

Shmitt’s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed. Radio personality Vin Scelsa (NYC) sang praises, “artist Stuffy Shmitt... his tunes knock me out” and called Nothing Is Real “a mesmerizing piece of work.” And radio host Peter Bochan (NYC) named the debut CD “one of the best indie releases this year.” Shmitt has two songs featured in the independent feature “Thirty Days” (An Araca Group/Arielle Tepper Production). He composed and produced the soundtrack for the documentary, “Abandoned,” (Crowing Rooster Arts, Inc.) which premiered at the Human Rights Watch Film Festival at Lincoln Center in New York City last June and won the Dupont/Columbia University Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism. Other film music credits include “The Heavenly Kid” (Orion Pictures) and the award-winning educational children’s film “Whatever Happened To The Dinosaurs?” (Blackwatch Productions). Shmitt also co-wrote the theme song for the Ace Award winning MTV show “Turn It Up.” He has performed his own material in venues coast to coast.

Stuffy Shmitt’s albums Family Favorites, Other People’s Stuff, Dog Steal The Moon and Nothing Is Real are available at cdbaby.com and iTunes.