An American Troubadour

by Andrew Spencer

“Crossover” is a term that has been widely used in recent years to describe quite a few things.   The term has been used to refer to a figure skating maneuver, a linguistic concept, automobiles, and even something that is cryptically referred to as “a Windows operating system emulator.”  And singers who gain a following in two different genres are also referred to as “crossovers” with a certain degree of regularity.  On Tuesday, August 25, the Nantucket Historical Association is bringing one of Nantucket’s favorite crossover musical acts to the Whaling Museum, when American troubadour Bill Schustik offers up his signature style of entertainment – a unique blend of toe-tapping folk and theatrical history – for your listening enjoyment.

A long-time island favorite, Schustik is best known locally for crooning well-known sea chanteys that appeal to young and old alike.  My mother first “discovered” Bill for herself about twenty-five years ago, when she dragged my father to a concert Schustik was giving on-island.  I secretly think that my mother had a schoolgirl-style crush on the man – Bill, not my father – and that was the main motivation for going.  However, after hearing him sing for just a few minutes, my parents were both adoring fans of both the music and the man, and they now make it a point to see him in concert whenever the opportunity arises.  And there is yet another of Bill’s crossover traits.  He appeals to audience members of all ages, genders and backgrounds.  He is the embodiment of America wrapped up in a single, wildly talented package.

Schustik’s talent for performing folk music is matched by his love of American history and lore, both qualities he credits his parents with instilling in him.  They were history buffs, and on family camping trips during Bill’s childhood, they would sit around the fire and sing traditional folk tunes.  He also credits a Burl Ives record given to him by a former girlfriend and the encouragement of a ninety-one-year-old music teacher as inspirations in fostering his love of music and singing.

Today, Bill’s talents have taken him a long way from those sing-alongs around the campfire.  He has served as the chantey man on the square-rigger sailing yacht Shenandoah, herself a periodic visitor to Nantucket Harbor and one of the true sailing icons of the maritime world.  He has performed for three United States presidents and he has been featured in musical acts both on and off Broadway.  His love of history propelled him to write a historical stage play entitled Shiloh Hill that was produced by Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. Ronald Reagan was at the premier of Shiloh Hill, and the former president said at the time that he had felt “honored” to have been in the audience.  Today Bill travels around the country, belting out folk medleys in his deep baritone voice while he plays a variety of folk musical instruments as he entertains fans both old and new.

He also works as a mentor, training educators across the country to use music to teach American history to their students, a job he is not only well-suited for, but one at which he also excels.  Despite his huge success, though, there is little that Schustik would rather do than perform in an intimate setting for his fans. That is, after all, the essence of the troubadour.

In the truest historical sense of the term, a troubadour was a French poet of the Middle Ages who traveled the land singing lyrical poetry that traditionally dealt with themes of courtly love and chivalrous actions.  The troubadour of old didn’t aim for riches or stardom; rather, he was moved to  perform by a love for his art.  It was one of the purest forms of art-for-art’s-sake to be encountered anywhere.

And that, in a nutshell, is Bill Schustik.  He is a modern American troubadour in every sense of the word—a performer who takes the stage with his guitar and banjo and voice, and performs for the sheer love of the music.

The Nantucket Historical Association this year commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, and they have invited Schustik to kick-off their series of events tied to the celebration.  The concert will showcase both Schustik’s musical talents and his love of history, as he recounts the fears, triumphs, dreams and aspirations of those who fought the Civil War through such tunes as “Tenting Tonight,” “All Quiet Along the Potomac,” Goober Peas,” “The Vacant Chair” and many others.

A writer for Sun Magazine in Baltimore, Maryland, said of Bill Schustik, “The agent of the magic is Bill Schustik, a minstrel taught by heaven to touch the hearts of men.”  Anyone who has seen Bill in concert can relate to that description, as those who witness his performance are changed dramatically for having heard him sing.  This is one crossover act you will not want to miss.

The Nantucket Historical Association hosts Bill Schustik in concert in Gosnell Hall on Tuesday, August 23, at 7 pm in the Whaling Museum at 13 Broad Street.  Doors will open at 6:30 pm.  Bill will perform two sets, with a brief intermission between the two.  Tickets for the event are $15, and may be purchased at the door or in advance by calling Mellissa Kershaw of the Nantucket Historical Association at 508-228-1894, ext. 117, or by email at melissa@nha.org.