In-The-Round with Craig Bickhardt, Thom Schuyler & Jack Sundrud

Trinity Presbyterian Church in Berwyn, PA continues their successful Spotlight Concert Series on Saturday, March 25th at 7 PM with an In-The-Round featuring Craig Bickhardt, Thom Schuyler, and Jack Sundrud.  These three veteran performing songwriters are from the original Bluebird Cafe writers-in-the-round series that the hit TV series, Nashville, is based upon.  The creative sparks that fly between Thom, Craig and Jack during their writing sessions glow even more brightly on the stage.  The three of them have a knack for unreeling vignettes and painting miniatures within a pop song structure, displaying a keen eye for the telling lyric detail.  Join us in the sanctuary for one special evening of great acoustic music by three highly-acclaimed singer-songwriters.  You’ll laugh a lot, cry a little and really be inspired!

Craig Bickhardt is a folk/Americana performing songwriter with major writing credits, a poet’s voice, a virtuoso guitar style and a veteran’s experience.  He is the uniting force behind this critically-acclaimed In-The-Round series at venues throughout the country.  Craig composed three # 1 Billboard hits and nine top-10 ten hits, and has shared the stage with Bruce Springsteen, Stephen Stills, Judy Collins, Hank Williams Jr., Kathy Mattea, and others.  Craig's songs have found their way onto platinum and Grammy-winning recordings by legends such as Johnny Cash, Martina McBride, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Kathy Mattea and Alison Krauss. His voice and songs can be heard in the Academy Award-winning film Tender Mercies, starring Robert Duvall, as well as the films Switchback and At Close Range.  Website:  www.craigbickhardt.com

Bethlehem native Thom Schuyler’s performing style reflects his early folk influences including Dylan, John Prine and Loudon Wainwright.  His literary lyrical sense and storytelling skills shine in songs like "My Old Yellow Car" and "Sixteenth Avenue," the unofficial anthem of Music Row's songwriting community.  Thom was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011.  His songs have been recorded by more than 200 artists including The Forester Sisters, Michael Martin Murphy, The Judds, and Barbara Mandrell.  His song "Love Will Turn You Around" (Kenny Rogers) was ASCAP Song of the Year in 1982, and American Music Awards Song of the Year in 1983.

In addition to being members of the original "Writers In The Round" at Nashville's famed Bluebird Cafe back in the mid-1980s, Craig and Thom were two thirds of the hit Nashville trio SKB, which also included songwriter Fred Knobloch.  SKB had several charting records, one of which was the Schuyler-Bickhardt classic "This Old House", a top twenty radio hit and number one video for two consecutive weeks on CMT.  In 1994 Craig and Thom also collaborated as songwriters, producers and singers on the critically acclaimed CD "Precious Child" released on Warner Brothers Records.  Their long history and close friendship make for an entertaining combination whenever they share the stage.  Website: www.thomschuyler.com

Jack Sundrud cracked the charts with Great Plains (Sony Records) and now plays bass in the pioneering country rock group Poco, whose 40-year roster reads like a Who's Who in the genre.  He has toured as bassist/vocalist with Vince Gill, Dickie Betts, Bobby Whitlock, Kathy Mattea.  Sundrud has released two critically-acclaimed solo CDs, and his songs have been recorded by Kenny Rogers, The Judds, The Persuasions, Michael Johnson, and many more.

Together, Bickhardt and Sundrud have written over 100 songs, including the number one Billboard hit for Ty Herndon, "It Must Be Love".  They've also collaborated on numerous songs that have been recorded by seminal country-rock band Poco and the group Great Plains.  Their song "Father's Day" has become a popular viral video on YouTube and is featured on the Poco CD, The Wildwood Sessions.  Craig and Jack regularly collaborate and record together under the nom de plume "Idlewheel".  Idlewheel's CD "Live At Morningstar" was recently rated four stars by reviewer Nick Cristiano in the Philadelphia Inquirer.  He stated "easy humor and tight, soulful harmonies are the trademarks of this outstanding duo."  Website: www.jacksundrud.com

The dynamic chemistry between Craig, Thom and Jack is the result of many years of friendship, collaboration and performing together. You will be moved by all three performers, knocked out by their musicianship, and entertained by the wonderful, often hilarious stories they tell about their songs and careers.  This show promises to be as good as it gets!  All are welcome to join us for an enchanting and entertaining evening at Trinity's Spotlight Concert Series in Berwyn, PA.

The doors will open at 6:30 PM and the concert will begin at 7 PM.  There is no charge for admission, but a free-will offering of $20 per person is recommended.

Trinity Presbyterian Church is located on Berwyn Avenue, 1 block south of Route 30 (Lancaster Pike) in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. Parking is free.  The GPS address for the main church parking lot is 51 Waterloo Ave, Berwyn PA, 19312.

For more information about the event or concert series, contact John Ward at concerts@trinityberwyn.com, call 484-639-9273, or visit http://spotlight.trinityberwyn.com.

For interview requests, contact Larry Ahearn (610) 574-6276 or larrya@trespassmusic.org.