Tues. Dec. 16

I met Tina Shafer about 30 years ago at a party me and my college housemates threw. A wild party it would seem. Tina’s recollection: One of my stoner room-mates kind of actively pursued her and my friend Dale Spear - he later managed her for a while – locked her in his room for safety. Whew. Skip forward. Spear's runing the public radio/TV combo in Orlando, Fla. and Shafer – a recording artist/songwriter whose songs have been covered by many, like Sheena Easton and Phoebe Snow, but most famously, Celine Dion -  has been putting on something called the New York Songwriters Circle for 18 years at the Bitter End.  The performance Tues. Dec. 16 features Mieka Pauley, Amy Crawford, Seth Glier, Nicole Berke and Julie Easterlin. Starts at 8:30. $10.

What is this Circle-come-to-Somerville? “I can’t say it’s a franchise, but it’s a branch,” says Shafter, who has two albums out and is mid-way through a third. “What we’re doing is taking the concept of the songwriters circle into Philly and in Boston, The owner of the Bitter End, Kenny Gorka, wanted something,  I got asked to host it. Now, I book the talent, I network and because I’m a songwriter, I know a ton of people. I use that to put people together in a community setting – well known and new writers. Norah Jones, Gavin DeGraw, Chris Barron, Toby Lightman (the two are pictured with Shafer) Richard Julian, Avril Lavigne and Vanessa Carlton have played with us. We’re eclectic, I book acts (that aren’t necessarily folk) but it’s au unplugged realms, based on the true form of the song, It’s in the round. One person does a song and goes around a circle. At soundcheck, I listen to everybody and put them in an order that flows well. I like to mix and match, just make a connection of great tunes.” Criteria? “You have to have great songs, the presentation has to be great, and the songs have have to ring true.” (The Songwriters Circle is a company Shafer runs with Billy Gaus and Shai Navon.)
    Shafer’s songs generally convey a contemplative sense of uplift. It would seem. “They’re coming from a certain amount of deep and painful experiences,” she says. “I try to find uplifting ways of expressing them in songs. It’s a good lesson learned. It is a transformation that occurs when you’re writing from a deep place, unlike anything else. To me, my songs are smarter than I am.”  Expect some light and some dark at a gathering. “Different hues make a great painting,” says Shafer.
    Married with two kids - later divorced -  Shafer made a pretty good pile when “Love Is On the Way,” which Shafer co-wrote, was sung by Celene Dion and included on her hit CD "Let's Talk About Love' CD. a 33-million seller. Shafer says it’s allowed Shafer to pursue her musical muse and work with this Songwriters Circle. “It was awsome,” Shafer says. “It enabled me to make my own records, have a family and do what I love,  support other artists.” The Songwriters Circle returns to the club Dec. 16 with a new lineup.  Also, the Songwriters Circle has a partnership with Live Nation, is having a songwriters contest, where a newcomer will be chosen to open for a major act at Jones Beach. - New York Songwriters Circle w/Mieka Pauley, Seth Glier, Amy Crawford, Nicole Berke, Julia Easterlin -8:30 PM $10,

17 Holland, Somerville, 617-776-2004 www.johnnyds.com
www.songwriters-circle.com