All Instruments (Electric and Classical Guitars, Bass, Guitar Synth, Mountain Dulcimer, Tinwhistles, Recorders, Mandolin, and if there be any other thing...) and Vocals composed and performed by Me, Myself, and I (Steve Johnson) (except the drum loops which are from Beta Monkey Music, with the following exceptions:
Other bands/projects I am (or have been) involved with: Psalmysteria, which is my main musical emphasis. Pronounced like the two words, Psalm Mysteria Omega Thesis HYD
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Influences
God, Family, Friends, Chess, Chinese food, Patchouli oil, Nag Champa incense, Walks in the woods, The color green...
MY WIFE who inspires me with her beauty, her heart for God, and occasionally even gives me lyrical ideas!
MY 4 CHILDREN, all of them grown, are all talented one way or the other musically, and not only in that, but in all things, they inspire me as well. I long to see their own music recorded and available for all to hear.
MY PARENTS influence cannot be overstated: they always sang to and with me, had music boxes and toys to explore around the home, always played music on the old RCA console record player.
MY GRANDMOTHER (the only Grandparent I ever knew), who paid for me to begin piano lessons at age six.
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Artists/bands that have been particularly inspirational to me include RUSH, David Gilmour, Pink Floyd, Dio-era Black Sabbath/Heaven and Hell/Tony Iommi/Geezer Butler, CIRITH UNGOL, Randy Rhoads, Rich Mullins, RUSH, Rodrigo y Gabriela, John Michael Talbot, John Doyle, RUSH, Johannes Linstead, Iron Maiden, Neal Morse, RUSH, Metallica, the music of the celebrated Irish harpist/composer Turlough OCarolan, a little known group called Sabbath Rest..., and did I mention RUSH?
Musician friends who have undoubtedly had an influence on me: Jon Benson, Bruce Gibson, Doug Judah, John Bradshaw, Byron Hawk, Mike Smith, John Covington, Brad White, Steve Moseley, Jimi Moody, Joe Garcia III, Johnny Branam, Jaime Rincon
Sounds Like
I would say that my music will appeal to fans of: David Gilmour, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell, CIRITH UNGOL, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Rich Mullins, Neal Morse, Dougie MacLean, John Doyle, Daithi Sproule, Rush, Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee, Neil Peart, Jethro Tull, Ian Anderson, Martin Barre, Iron Maiden, Steve Harris, Bruce Dickinson, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Janick Gers, Phil Keaggy, John Michael Talbot, John Spillane (NOMOS), Fernando Ortega, Bebo Norman, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), Johannes Linstead, Iron & Wine, Willie Nelson, Enter the Worship Circle, Blackmores Night, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Michael Card, Paul Simon & Art Garfunkel, Nick Drake, Ottmar Liebert, Edens Bridge, Iona, Jose Gonzalez, Caedmons Call, Jars of Clay, Derek Webb, Big Tent Revival, Mana, Opeth (Damnation, clean stuff), Genesis, Johnny Cash, Steven Halpern, Lesiem, Incendio, Steve Hackett...
In the words of the philosopher (Popeye the Sailor), "I yam what I yam..." I am a Christian; a Man, Husband, Father, Son, Friend; a Special Education Teacher and Special Olympics Coach; a Texan. I am an Artist.
I've been composing music and writing lyrics for over 30 years. During that time my musical journey has taken me from AOR Rock and Pop to Progressive Rock to Metal to Classical to Folk to Celtic to Latin to Mountain to New Age to Ambient... and back again! My compositions are eclectic, mingling elements of all these things, at times to the point of making me confused as to how to describe my music!
As a Painter takes varied techniques, influences, and media, blending them on canvas to produce a spellbinding visual image, so I think of what I do as using various inspirations and instrumentation to "paint" spiritual soundscapes, hopefully worthy of contemplation. Lyrically, I write of things that touch my heart. I often find myself led to use a Psalm or other Biblical passage as lyrics for one of my compositions. Once in awhile it strikes me to leave a piece as an instrumental.
Whatever the case, I seek to play what God puts on my heart, yet not the 'normal' Christian fare. I don't want to beat people over the head with the Bible, nor wax dogmatic in song. I just want to play songs my soul can sing; music my mind can find pleasure in. I write for me, and those songs that I cover by other artists are my own favorites (or I would not do them), yet I offer my works to God and to you. To God, trusting that He will be pleased with my offering; to you, in hopes that you can find something in these pieces to brighten your day; something that will resonate with your heartstrings, healing any brokenness within you, and inspire you along the pathways of Life, thus leading you Closer to the Heart.
Thanks for your support. May God richly bless you & yours.
hey there bro, sorry i have been out of musical commission for some time. Just getting back on track spiritually has been crazy. Things are great. Just now getting a band formed. Slowly....
What's up my brother? Had wasen't that play the best. Who would ever thought 25yrs ago that Sam & Steve would attend a play together..lolol anyway saw the "Shakespear In The Trailer Park" and you can count me in..lol that sounds like fun who knows we may be the next "A TUNA CHRISTMAS"
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