Well,... lemme tell ya'll a story...
I had a crazy dream one night... 

"Kulak's,... Music,... So n'So",... hmmm....? nah, I figured, go back to sleep, you'll forget about by lunch time. But... I couldn't shake it. (That was 6/97.) I kept thinkin.'... what if... I opened a live performance/video webcast  kinda place for Singer/Songwriters/Musicians, lookin' to get their stuff out into the world,... kinda,.... thang?

So, in July '99 I found a space to rent. It's a retail store front fixer-upper, at 5230 1/2 Laurel Canyon Blvd. (north of Magnolia) in North Hollywood, CA.

Hey Paul Kulak Wha'...? ...What's a...?

Kulak (koo-lack) n. [Russian, lit., fist, fr., Estonian kulak.] 1. An oppressed prosperous farmer or peasant. 2. One who refuses to co-operate with a tyrannical government. Russia.-Kulakism (izm), n.

Woodshed (wood-shed) n. [U.S. fr. Blues/Jazz musicians Circa. 1900's] 1. To rehearse; practice one's part, role etc. "So n' So's doin' a-lotsa woodsheddin' to get ready fer the big gig." United States.- Woodshedism (izm), n.

So, as of 11/99 it's been set up. Furniture, stage equipment, PA system, acoustic piano, coffee, soft drinks, and juices. Then in December a volunteer named Sharon Lanaghan helped me build the multi-camera webcast.

Now look what we done did !!!

Kulak's Woodshed is an Independent, Out of Pocket, Acoustic Music, Singer/Songwriter, Multi-Camera Video Recording Studio and 50 Seat Listening Room. Performances are Webcast Live. Archived Songs 24/7.  We're an Intimate, No Alcohol, Help Yerself to Coffee, Tea, and Soft Drinks, that  Performers and their Audience have kept Alive with Donations and Operated by Volunteers Dedicated to the Celebration of Music Just fer the FUN of it... Kinda...Thang. Shows (always FREE) from 8:00 - 10:00pm-ish PST (Check the Kulak's Woodshed "Calendar" for performance dates.)

Hey Paul..., Yeah...? How do ya make...?

There are many ways we could, and need, to generate income, hopefully that will evolve. All eventual profits 
(if that ever happens) will be recycled back into a kind of "Kulak's Woodshed Artist's Fund" to benefit the L.A. area's Singer/Songwriters/Musicians.

I tend to harp on the fact that Music was NOT created as a vehicle to use in order to gain access to the Show Biz Aristocracy. Music was here a long time before BUSINESS came along, and it's a-gonna be here long after it's gone. 

We celebrate the ESSENCE of what MUSIC is really all about.

The ideas are endless, but the focus is on MUSIC, and the people who simply gotta do it. Just ... BECAUSE!!! I'm talkin' about singer/songwriters, and music lovers who wanna be around each other. Folks who might strive for success in the music business, but also LOVE THE ART FORM, and appreciate it's incredible HISTORY. 

Who knew it would become the wonderful community it is today. Just an idea that turned out cooler than anyone ever imagined.