Tom Stahl used to drive around in a truck full of paint saying,"Would you like paddles and strainers with that?" One day, he hurt his back. He went to the doctor and said,"Doctor! Doctor! It hurts when I do that." The doctor said,"Don't do that." Tom Stahl then started writing songs. And the rest, as they say, is the future.In 1995, Tom Stahl was driving a truck until two back surgeries prompted him to consider a new career. He had a degree in Communications, but had written a song or two, and with the support(constant urging) of his wife Lou, decided to continue in that direction. Discography:1995-"I Wanna Be Ignorant"1996-"The Song is the Thing"1997-"Hang On"2000-"Shut Up and Smell the Coffee"2001-"Nothing"For now, the last three are available here; the first two are sold out (twice) and are being reprinted."He makes the connection as a song writer. He's a great storyteller, and there's a genuineness in his story."- Mike Ryan-101.1 FM- the River."Stahl writes some of the wittiest and loveliest songs you'll ever hear, and catchy melodies. Live, he is an engaging performer with a unique vocal delivery. There is nothing typical about Tom Stahl."- Geoff Kelly- Artvoice.By ANTHONY VIOLANTINews Critic3/30/01Every once in a while a performer comes up with a song that can change a career. It deserves to happen to Tom Stahl for the track"Are There Angels" off his new CD,"Shut Up and Smell the Coffee." The soft song is layered with emotion, featuring these lyrics:"Angels don't belong down here on earth, they're gone before you know it and when they're gone it hurts/So treasure every moment from the moment of their birth/'cause you know angels don't belong down here on earth."Where there're angels, there is hope/So when you feel you just can't cope and the world around turns cold and gray and your angel's far way/Well don't you cry, angels don't die." This is one of the best local tracks I've heard in years. The last time I was so moved by a song was when the Goo Goo Dolls released their breakthrough single,"Name" in 1995."Are There Angels" exudes a spiritual, melancholy quality with a universal message. It's the kind of remarkable record that deserves to be played on local radio, even in a tight broadcast market like Buffalo."Angels" would be perfect for a country, pop or light vocal radio format. Stahl has provided Buffalo radio with the rare opportunity to break out a national hit from a local record. It's about time local radio took advantage of such an opportunity because the song has the potential to be a Top 10 hit. But don't hold your breath waiting for that to happen. Stahl recently sang the song at a church service for a group of people mourning the loss of children."It was very heavy the way the people responded to the song," he said."I think of it as a healing song, and I was touched by the reaction. They wanted me to talk afterward, but it was so emotional, I had to leave." Stahl is one of Buffalo's most creative and clever songwriters - but he downplays the meaning of his music."If you listen carefully, I don't really say anything," said Stahl, who has been singing and writing for six years and recently released the CD"Shut Up and Smell the Coffee." It will be available at a release party Saturday at 7 p.m. in Nietzsche's, 248 Allen St. Stahl, of course, is being modest. His sound is a robust combination of folk, rock and country, and it enhances a writing style that offers hope dosed with some wide-eyed cynicism. Consider the opening track on his CD, called"Shut Up." It's an answer for those looking for music's next big thing."And everybody's listening for a brand new sound/If you want to find it here, you best get out of town." Later, he adds this lyric:"If you read what I wrote, then you read old news, and I sound like Dylan, like that could be bad, if that's all you're hearing then man you've been had." The new CD is the fourth of Stahl's career and his first in nearly two years. It's available at Tom Catt Records, PO Box 417, Hamburg, N.Y. 14075. The Web address is: www.hipknowsys.com/stahl.> Tom's faithful band members (the Dangerfields) include:Dave Courtemanche, (bass), Gary Kowalski (drums, percussion), Marty Peters (lead guitar, engineer and producer) and little brother Mark Stahl(Keyboards).