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At 14 years of age, Craig Greusel wrote a ballad called Traveling Man. It was the first song he sang on Friday at The Art of the Balladier, the first of a cultural series featuring local talent. The series is sponsored by the Marco Island Foundation for the Arts in cooperation with The Esplanade.

Kristen Poppenhouse / Eagle staff

Craig Greusel sang ballads while informing the audience about ballads in The Art of the Balladier on Friday at The Esplanade. This was the premiere event by The Marco Island Foundation for the Arts in cooperation with The Esplanade.

Greusel talked about ballads in-between songs at the performance at The Esplanade. It was supposed to be in the courtyard, but was moved inside Bayview because of the chilly weather.

He said the definition of a balladier is the singer of songs, but added that it's much more than that. He said ballads have been a style since the Egyptian times and throughout the Middle Ages and can be used to advertise or make a point.

He sang I've Got A Name by Jim Croce, someone from whom he drew inspiration.

Greusel explained that a ballad can be anything. That it can tell a story about anything, but usually about love or nationality.

To give an example of a tag line in a ballad, Greusel introduced Mike Miller. Miller, a physical education coach at Lely High School, wrote a ballad for his wife, which he sang.

Kristen Poppenhouse / Eagle staff

Greusel accompanied Mike Miller as he debuted a song he wrote for his wife. The song was an example of a tag line being used in a ballad.

Greusel said a ballad usually presents a question with four syllables and responds with three syllables. He said the songs from different time periods can intertwine.

"I don't know if balladiers are lazy or just take the same chords and move them around," Greusel said.

He added that ballads can be very political and sang the song City of New Orleans.

Greusel said that another common trait is a rhythmic phrase that can be repeated over and over. He used a rhythmic pattern that was in City of New Orleans, in his song The Fisherman.

He told the audience the story behind the first Valentine's Day song ever printed and how it was written in ballad form. As he sang Let Me Call You Sweetheart the audience sang with him.

He said he hoped the audience had learned that just about anything can be a ballad.

"And they tell stories," Greusel said. "And I love to tell stories."

Claudia Klug-Kowel, a MIFA board member and brainchild of the event, said she hopes to have a couple of performances each month. MIFA's mission is to promote art in public places. She said other performances might include a harp and a Shakespeare performance.

Ed and Janice Grim were visiting from Fort Wayne, Ind.

"Wonderful singer and as a teacher he just taught you as he sang," Ed Grim said. "I know a little bit more about ballads now."