[1][2] He is a founding member of the indie-rock band the Rugburns and collaborated on several songs with singer Jewel, including the 1996 single "You Were Meant for Me", which reached number 2 in the US.

While performing dates at the Innerchange Coffeehouse in San Diego, he formed a relationship with Jewel,[6] frequently opening for her on tours, co-writing songs, and appearing in her music video for "You Were Meant For Me."

Five years later, he recorded Chinese Vacation, an album heavily influenced by the events of September 11 and the murder of one of his closest friends.

During the bridge, he went on a 5-minute rant on the morning zoo with Dave and Jimmy from WNCI and assorted stories in Las Vegas, including one that led to the album name One Left Shoe.

[citation needed] In 2012, Poltz guest-starred in the web series Up the Creek as a Canadian country singer named Peeve Stoltz.