A new band is about to hit the Bowling Green music scene (more on this later), and two of its’ members were here tonight doing acoustic sets at Woody’s. Singer Maria Donatelli and guitarist Kevin Hull went through an impressive list of popular cover tunes, and all in just the two half-sets I was able to check out.

The familiar hits performed included “Proud Mary”, “You Oughta Know” (Alanis Morissette), “More Than Words” (Extreme), a mini-Journey set of “Loving, Touching, Squeezing” and Who’s Crying Now”, “Black Velvet” (Alanna Myles), “My Immortal” (Evanescence), “Walking In Sunshine” (Katrina & the Waves), and “Heartbreaker” (Pat Benatar). Mr. Hull occasionally goes front and center to do a tune with a little more testosterone, such as “Sweet Home Alabama”.

Donatelli’s vocals are smooth and sweet, which is well-suited for the songs she was singing tonight. It will be interesting to see if there’s much of a style change when the full band is together, plugged-in and rocking out. I think, based on some snippets here and there of some power in her vocals tonight that she will do just fine. And  the samples you can hear on their MySpace (see below) certainly bear that out. Hull’s acoustic guitar was mostly rhythm, with some picking here and there, and he does nice harmony vocals with Donatelli at all the right moments. So the show tonight was solid and laid-back, just what you’d expect from most, but certainly not all, unplugged performers.

When the full band performs this month (March), tonight’s band mates will be joined by Andy Stahl on bass and Rodney Hull (Kevin’s brother) on drums. Stahl is a veteran of the Bowling Green scene, having played about 25 years ago in such venues as Knight’s Inn, Manhattan Towers, The Main Office Lounge, the Picking Palace and Picasso’s. He’s had a successful songwriting, acting, and producing career since those days. Rodney Hull has a more recent past in Bowling Green music, most notably as the drummer of The Thornz. He loves 80’s rock. So the Poison Karma rhythm section should be a solid unit. Ms. Donatelli has been in Bowling Green about a year and half and is originally from Boston, where she was accomplished and had a good following. Kevin Hull has returned to Kentucky to be near family and play in the band. He has played with personnel from The Scorpions and Foreigner.

Ms. Donatelli says they are ready to rock, so look for them at a venue near you soon. I am certainly curious; aren’t you? You can get info on where to see Poison Karma and hear some of their music at www.myspace.com/poisonkarma. They are playing a lot in March, so check it out now.

New Venue Spotlight – Woody’s Pub

Whenever I check out a band at a venue I haven’t been to before I’ll tell you a little bit about the place. Woody’s is a wide-open room with plenty of floor space for dancing, a decent-sized bar in the right rear, a good amount of seating (both tables and booths), enough additional floor space for a corn-hole game (as was being played tonight), 3 pool tables, and, for us music lovers, a stage big enough for a full band. They are on Three Springs Road across from Cue Time. You’ll have a good time there.   

Poison Karma (Acoustic) played @ Woody’s Pub, Bowling Green, KY on 2/13/2010.

About the author: Pennman bought his first 45 at age nine and has been hooked on rock ever since. He has spent much of his disposable income on music, especially live performances. He writes reviews of the shows he sees and keeps a keen lookout for upcoming shows in or near Bowling Green. He has a BA in Communications, specializing in journalism, and has dabbled in music himself, both as a player and instructor. Find more of Pennman’s work at www.associatedcontent.com/user/165511/pennman.html or visit him at www.myspace.com/pennman_bg or www.facebook.com/pennman