Students and members of the community gathered at the UW-Platteville Center for the Arts Sept. 27 to watch Karla Bonoff. Her performance was the second in the Performing Arts Series, sponsored by the Wisconsin Arts Board and Segregated University Fees Allocation Commission.

Photograph by Stephanie Coren
Karla Bonoff performed at the Center for the Arts on Sept. 27 for the second event in the Performing Arts Series. Bonoff started writing songs at the age of 15 and her song All My Life won a Grammy for Best Performance.

Karla Bonoff became famous through her song writing, which she started at the age of 15, according to her personal Web site.  Many of her songs have been used in movies, as well as used by other well-known singers such as Wynonna Judd and Bonnie Raitt.  One of her most acclaimed songs, “All My Life,” sung by artists Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville, won a Grammy for Best Performance by a Duo or Group.  Bonoff has also released solo CDs, her most recent, a live performance.

Kenny Edwards, a long time friend and member of the band Bryndle, opened for her.  Edwards started his performance with a song from his new CD, “Just Done”.  His upbeat guitar songs received a good response from the audience and warmed them up before Bonoff took front stage.
Bonoff began her performance with the song, “Home,” during which she played guitar and sang vocals.  Edwards played the mandolin, which is a small, twangy guitar and also provided backup vocals, while Nina Gerber, a highly esteemed friend, played electric guitar.  A rich, full sound filled the concert hall as Bonoff and Edwards perfectly harmonized their voices.

Bonoff switched between playing the acoustic guitar and the piano.  Her voice was strong and her presence behind the piano was stunning.  She played 13 songs with Edwards and Gerber, ending the night with her own rendition of “The Water is Wide,” after a standing ovation from the audience.  Bonoff also dedicated the heartwarming song, “All My Life”, to John Hassig, the director of performing and visual arts programs and facilities at the CFA, and his wife.

“Her songwriting is great storytelling and the performance of her work is so passionate,” Hassig said. “She has something truly amazing about her voice and her song craft; its truly a gift.”

Kathy Neumeister, a Platteville community member, added that Bonoff is “the most talented artist you’ve never heard of.”

The next performance in the Performing Arts Series will be the Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Company at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 12 in the CFA.