CDBaby sells my CDs online, and their sister company, Hostbaby, hosts my website, www.stevekey.com. My car is a 1997 Saturn with more than 200,000 miles on it. My guitar is a Lowden S-10, but I call her Marie. I use Elixir strings, because they last a long time. I recommend Oasis for CD duplication. I'm an ASCAP writer, but a BMI publisher. I go to Starbucks a lot, but support the indie coffeeshops whenever I can, and buy SLO Roasters for my home brew. I shop Trader Joe's but never Wal-Mart.
Influences
Jackson Browne, Janis Ian, John Denver, Steve Goodman, Loudoun Wainwright III, Tom Paxton, Jonathan Edwards, Gordon Lightfoot, Glen Campbell, Mac McAnally, James Taylor, Jim Croce, Joni Mitchell, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, John Prine, Christine Lavin, Bill Morrissey, Rod MacDonald, Cheryl Wheeler, Bruce Springsteen, Guy Clark, Tom Waits, Bruce Cockburn, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Burl Ives, Bob Gibson, Pete Seeger, Cat Stevens, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ferron, Neil Young, Graham Nash, Bob Franke, Pierce Pettis, B.W. Stevenson, Hoyt Axton, John Hartford, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Roger Miller, Shel Silverstein.
Sounds Like
Graham Nash, Dan Fogelberg, Steve Seskin, Michael Fracasso, Dickie Brown, David Ray, James Lee Stanley, Tim Dawe, Michael Smith, Brewer & Shipley.
Steve Key is an award-winning songwriter, performer and recording artist. He is also a songwriting teacher, concert producer, host of weekly songwriter showcases Tuesdays at The Clubhouse in San Luis Obispo, and Thursdays at the Porch in Santa Margarita. He is the music booker for Linnaea's Cafe, also in SLO. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He wrote "Record Time (33, 45, 78)" recorded by country star Kathy Mattea in 1992, and by the Nashville duo called Hometown News on their CD released in Sept. '05. Dozens of folk, country, blues and pop artists have recorded and performed Steve Key songs. Key has written songs with Dave Mallett, Kate Campbell, Pierce Pettis, Sally Barris and many others on Nashville's Music Row.
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Key was honored with a Lifetime Membership in the Songwriters Association of Washington, DC. Members of the Washington Area Music Association have nominated Steve Key for its "Wammie" awards as "Best Songwriter of the Year" and "Best Folk Male Vocalist".
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Other awards include:
WINNER of the New Folk contest at the Kerrville (TX) Folk Festival.
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2003 TOP TEN FINALIST in the Mountain Stage NewSong Festival songwriting contest in West Virginia.
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2005 TOP TEN FINALIST in the Plowshares Song contest in Phoenixville PA.
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Steve Key toured frequently across the U.S. and Canada, performed at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, the Canadian folk festivals at Winnipeg and Owen Sound, and three times on the main stage of the Kerrville Folk Festival. He appeared at major venues such as The Birchmere (VA), The Ark (MI), The Bluebird Cafe (TN), and The Kennedy Center (DC). Key shared concert billing with Richard Thompson, Christine Lavin, Patty Larkin, Cheryl Wheeler, Ellis Paul, Livingston Taylor, James McMurtry, David Mallett, Taj Mahal, Rory Block, Claudia Schmidt, Jonathan Edwards, Bill Staines and Tom Paxton.
whats up steve? what do you think about me playing the july 16? how long you want me for(preferable earlier than 9)? think i could try out some new material? oh, and can i bring my pet racoon.... i found him on the side highway the otherday, he dosn't move much but he's lots of fun!(ha,ha)
THANKS 4 STOPPING BY STEVE! I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. I'M SHAWN MALOY & I MANAGE & SING WITH SAVAGEKAT. WE WILL BE TOURING CALI THIS SUMMER AND WILL BE IN THE SLO AREA THE 2ND WEEK OF JULY. I KNOW ITS SHORT NOTICE BUT ANYTHING YOU HAVE AVAILABLE WILL WORK! LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU!!
Hi Steve. Thanks for the info. I'll let you know if I hear of anyone wanting to play. Please let me know all the particulars you can, like whether they need to audition, level of playing you're looking for, who gets paid/how much, what genres of music, etc. That would help take the "unknown" out of the equation when I ask folks. Thanks!
Hey Steve -- I'm going on the road tomorrow-- playing at the San Diego County Fair... will be back Monday 6/22. I've been meaning to check out your singer/songwriter showcase, but have been busy with other projects. I am working on a solo act, getting my set lists together, etc. Will look you up when I get back.... take care for now.. Hal
Hi Steve - I really like your songs! Thanks for the friendship. I've wanted to go and play over there in SLO for a long time - I think I just will :-) I just love songwriting and hearing other songwriters play their stuff. We have a cool songwriter showcase here in Bakersfield too, at American Sound Recording Studios that I go to sometimes. Its a lot of fun. I'm sure yours must be too. Hope to see you there sometime soon. Best wishes from Bakersfield. - Jeff
great meeting you the other night, you did such a great job!! Man, I just love that song about the nashville lights being like christmas...the tune is so soft and sweet while the words keep meaning and attention all throughout the song...you are very good!! Have a good day!!
Hey Steve ! I will let you know about June 6th ! Hotel is still getting approval for 'Saturdays'.....if not, it may be during the week. Hopefully, I'll know by the end of this week ! But, as soon as we get it, you're on !!