Samantha Schultz

EDMONTON - Samantha Schultz was just 13 years old when she wowed the sometimes fussy crowd at the Full Moon Folk Club with her acoustic guitar, heart-felt lyrics and a voice that brought people to their feet calling for an encore.

Now, four years later, the willowy teen has quietly released an independent CD of original songs. On Friday, the Edmonton singer and songwriter is to share the stage with other featured artists as part of JunoFest in Calgary.

Schultz, who is still in high school, has garnered little national attention so far, but a couple of veteran Canadian musicians say she has everything it takes to become a huge success.

"I will predict that no matter what, that girl is a star," said Gaye Delorme, an acclaimed guitarist and songwriter who was once nominated for a Grammy. "She's an artist of the future and I don't say that about anybody, really. I hear a lot of people, but she really has it."

Schultz opened for Delorme three years ago in Edmonton, but they have no business connection. However, he clearly remembers her quiet confidence on stage.

"I would have loved to have produced her album," he said in an interview from his home in Vancouver. "I've produced k.d. Lang and Jann Arden's first stuff."

When asked if Schultz's voice reminds him of anyone, Delorme quickly responds.

"Absolutely not. I wouldn't compare her to anybody that I've heard," he said. "Her voice is excellent. Her writing is excellent."

Schultz's debut release, Both Sides, was co-produced by Mark Sterling and Mike Lent. Lent, a renowned bass player, has recorded with Lang and Arden and toured with the latter as her musical director.

Lent describes Schultz as very gifted. He was also impressed by her maturity in the studio and her voice. "When she sang some of her lines, it was like 'What is coming out of there! This is unbelievable,"' Lent said of their first session in the studio.

Schultz's undeniable talent quickly attracted other music veterans to her first recording session, including drummer Gary Craig, who has played with Anne Murray and recorded with Bruce Cockburn.

"In fact, he came back from Los Angeles to do this record because he had heard Samantha and was totally knocked out," Lent said.

Lent has advised Schultz's parents to be patient and use her debut album as a calling card that he believes will launch her into an amazing music career.

Schultz remembers her first major gig in front of 600 people in Edmonton when she opened for folk legend Ruthie Foster in 2004.

"I walked out on stage, plugged in my guitar and pretty much just froze," she said with a laugh. "But later when I calmed down, I realized that it was so cool to show people that a kid like me can put my music out there and be heard."

Schultz said she now goes into "her own little world" while onstage. There are no longer butterflies in her stomach, but the brown-eyed teen admits that her hands sometimes get ice-cold in front of a large audience.

"But I always end up feeling really comfortable, like I'm singing to people in my living room."

Schultz's father, John, said he sometimes weeps when his daughter emerges from her room with a new song for them to hear.

"As parents, we know what she was feeling. But to hear it expressed in songs, it's an emotional experience," he said. "It's no wonder this stuff tends to resonate with people, because it's entirely honest."

Samantha Schultz has decided to remain as an independent artist. Not the express lane to stardom, but one that Delorme believes will build character in a relative newcomer to the music scene.

Several of the 12 songs from her album can be heard on myspace.com.

Samantha's mom, Marie, says she is proud of her daughter, but is in no rush to see her achieve the kind of success that others are predicting.

"We don't want to fast-track her at all. I'm a believer that things happen for a reason."


- By Jim Macdonald, THE CANADIAN PRESS