This Saturday night, the lights dim and the room goes quiet at Krazy Kup in Plant City. Here the magic of a Nashville-style writers’ round right here for free.
If you love raw talent, authentic stories, and live music, this is your invitation. Grab a drink, meet the incredible voices behind the songs, and read on to meet this month’s featured lineup!
When: This Saturday, August 15 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Krazy Kup (upstairs)
The Vibe: Acoustic, intimate, and completely unforgettable.
Greg Fuentes
Greg Fuentes is a Florida-born singer-songwriter blending rich Southern traditions with soulful gospel roots. The son of a traveling preacher, he pairs a haunting, nostalgic vocal tone with emotionally intelligent songwriting. His mission is simple: to share honest, cross-genre stories that remind us of our shared human experiences.
When you write, do you usually start with a specific lyrical phrase that stuck in your head, or does a guitar melody show up first? The spark of a song usually comes from a topic I want to address. Could be a catchy phrase or rhyme, music only comes after the words prove themselves.
How do you know when a song is officially finished and ready for the stage, rather than just “good enough” for now? When I play a song the same way consistently at home then I know it’s ready for an audience.
Is it harder to write a song when you are right in the middle of a heavy emotion, or after you have had time to look back on it? Usually when emotions are heavy it flows better.
If you could instantly become an absolute expert in one hobby or trade completely unrelated to music, what would you choose? An artist. which I have dabbled in but far from an expert.
Clean desk or messy workspace when writing? I usually write lyrics while driving.
Pen and paper or typing lyrics on a phone? Phone as of late but pen and paper in the past.
Writing in complete silence or with background noise? Silence.
Scott Donham
Scott makes music shaped by a multi-generational musical family and 26 years in the U.S. Coast Guard. He delivers grounded, poetic observations on life with a style that blends front-porch folk and traditional swing. A multi-instrumentalist and instrument maker, Scott connects communities using a voice of effortless tradition and honest songwriting.
When you write, do you usually start with a specific lyrical phrase that’s stuck in your head, or does a guitar melody show up first? Usually, I write from a line or phrase that pops into my head (I have a large stack of bits/pieces of paper with many song ideas). But I have written from a melody and/or chord progression picked out on guitar.
How do you know when a song is officially finished and ready for the stage, rather than just “good enough” for now? When I get to the point of not having any more to add (no value added). Now, that’s not to say I won’t add to it or change it the more I play it. I’m always open to changes; even from someone other than myself.
Is it harder to write a song when you are right in the middle of a heavy emotion, or after you have had time to look back on it? It depends on the situation. In 1998 I was dealing with a family break-up when I was on a ship out of New Bedford, Mass. My family moved back to Nashville, TN and me being active-duty Coast Guard I had to stay on the ship. I wrote many a sad song in the ship’s office at that time. However, it took 20+ years to go back and write “Still, I Cry” for my oldest daughter about that time.
If you could instantly become an absolute expert in one hobby or trade completely unrelated to music, what would you choose? Hmmm, that’s a tough one since I’ve always wanted to become a Master Luthier. At age 15 (1975), I built a working five string banjo out of scrap wood and a skin bongo head following instructions in The Fox Fire Books. I also made an “A” styled Mandolin from a kit at age 20. I’ve always been fascinated with stringed instruments. But, to answer your question with a non-musical trade, I would have to say National Park Forest Ranger. As a kid, I was going to join the Coast Guard or become a Forest Ranger. I was in the Coast Guard for 26 years so a Forest Ranger would be my choice for instantaneous expert in my field.
Clean desk or messy workspace when writing? Messy but organized. I usually know where everything is.
Pen and paper or typing lyrics on a phone? Pen/Pencil and paper. Prefer a pencil, it seems to keep me grounded and slows me down just a bit so I can actually read what I wrote later on. Although, here lately, I will send myself a text if an idea or lyrics come to mind and I don’t have writing materials available.
Writing in complete silence or with background noise? The noise of a home can sometimes include the noise of the family within. Oddly enough, I find that kinda’ noise inspiring for making music. I guess I need some background noise to write even if it’s the AC unit outside the window of my music room.
Phoenix Page
Phoenix is an 18-year-old independent multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and producer who entirely writes and records his own vibrant, innovative sound. Beneath his modern edge, his lyrics capture deeply familiar emotions that resonate like home. Currently crafting his debut EP, Phoenix is also studying music entrepreneurship with goals of launching his own record label.
When you write, do you usually start with a specific lyrical phrase that’s stuck in your head, or does a guitar melody show up first? A lot of times when I want to write lyrics, I’ll start with a melody first. I’ll kind of scat sing it for a bit before coming up with certain consonants I want to stand out the most, and then I write around that.
How do you know when a song is officially finished and ready for the stage, rather than just “good enough” for now? Less is more. Less is more. Less is more. It’s so easy to get carried away with thinking you need everything and everything needs to be perfect. Sometimes you just need to let your song have room to breathe. You kind of have to be like, “That sounds good enough,” and stick with it.
Is it harder to write a song when you are right in the middle of a heavy emotion, or after you have had time to look back on it? I usually write looking back at emotion because I have a much better understanding of it after it’s already happened. When I’m experiencing something, it can be confusing in the moment, and I’m usually not in the mood for writing anyway. Some people write songs as therapy, and that’s not who I am at all.
If you could instantly become an absolute expert in one hobby or trade completely unrelated to music, what would you choose? Directing, actually! I’ve always loved movies, and I have a strong desire to tell compelling stories. Personally, I feel like movies are the final boss of art forms. There’s so much that needs to be done well to make an incredible film, and I admire every detail of it!
Clean desk or messy workspace when writing? I like a clean desk, but that doesn’t mean I have one.
Pen and paper or typing lyrics on a phone? It doesn’t matter too much, but it’s easiest for me to just type my lyrics into Notepad on my computer.
Writing in complete silence or with background noise? Depends on if the song is about how stressed I am or not.
Jane Ross Fallon
Jane delivers a smooth, rich vocal presence with the acoustic warmth of a classic 1970s singer-songwriter. An internationally acclaimed writer with over 50 awards, she crafts storybook lyrics that lead into unforgettable hooks. Blending nostalgia with a contemporary spin, her emotionally agile music leaves audiences with a lingering thought, a tear, or a smile.
When you write, do you usually start with a specific lyrical phrase that’s stuck in your head, or does a guitar melody show up first? It really depends on time and impetus. If I need a song immediately for a prompt or contest, I often write the lyrics first, then go to the guitar for melody and chords. If I’m ruminating on something personal, I just take a walk or a drive and write both the lyrics and melody at the same time, then go home and write the accompaniment.
How do you know when a song is officially finished and ready for the stage, rather than just “good enough” for now? I take a lot of songs onto the stage that aren’t “officially finished.” They are always “almost” but my editing process includes taking them out to open mics or small gatherings to see how the audience reacts.
Is it harder to write a song when you are right in the middle of a heavy emotion, or after you have had time to look back on it? I’ve done both. It depends on the situation. Sometimes writing immediately helps me get through it, as I did in writing about deaths of family members. Sometimes, I need time to understand it and write later.
If you could instantly become an absolute expert in one hobby or trade completely unrelated to music, what would you choose? I love architectural design. I have designed and built two houses and one kitchen, and I am still learning!
Clean desk or messy workspace when writing? Messy
Pen and paper or typing lyrics on a phone? In my head, then the computer.
Writing in complete silence or with background noise? Can do both! If I have a song in my brain, I shut everything else out.
Nothing compares to experiencing the magic of live music in the room. This Saturday at Krazy Kup is your chance to hear these exact artists share their craft up close.
Plus, the Songwriters Circle is expanding! Starting October 24, catch them on the fourth Saturday of every month at Three Hands Mead Company in downtown Plant City at 6:30 p.m.
Mark your calendars, support local music at both venues, and follow our Facebook page to keep up with our shows outside of Plant City!
New Venue: Three Hands Mead Company (111 S Evers St, Plant City, FL 33563)
When: The Fourth Saturday of every month
Time: 6:30 p.m.
The Vibe: Unbeatable tasting room atmosphere, craft drinks, and raw storytelling.