Well.....a lot. U2, Dave Matthews Band, Shawn Mullins, Ryan Adams, Sting/Police, Nickel Creek, Ellis Paul, any good serious acoustic music. I'm also a certified Mozart disciple.
With the acoustic scene saturated with artists these days, Steve's music has carved out its own special niche. Beginning with his debut CD, Among the Weeds and Wheat, and his second recent release, While I'm Here, Steve successfully weaves his unique hybrid of acoustic folk and alternative into every song. He has been described as "...a versatile singer/songwriter whose music conveys his heart and soul."
A native North Carolinian, Steve learned music by ear and took to the guitar and piano at an early age. He began writing songs in adolescence and honed his skills during his college years at Wake Forest. After enduring the cover gig scene for a couple of years, Steve withdrew from performing and concentrated on expressing himself through his own music.
"It had gotten to the point where playing other people's songs wasn't that gratifying for me. I had never really felt confident about my own stuff, but I began to realize that if I were going to develop as a musician I would need to focus more on my songwriting."
Stints in Richmond, VA and Atlanta gave Steve the chance to meet other people and experience a wide diversity of musical influences. Particularly impactful were the two years Steve lived in Decatur, an Atlanta suburb known for its strong acoustic scene. "I felt very much at home there musically. I met people like Shawn Mullins who were doing exciting things with acoustic music. For me, that was the catalyst that brought about some major changes."
In the spring of 1997, Steve co-produced and released his first CD, Among the Weeds and Wheat, containing 10 original songs. He continued with his second release, While I'm Here. For this CD he enlisted the help of some significant "movers and shakers" in the music business, including co-producer Chris Rosser (who has worked with David Lamotte) and CD graphics designer Carol Norton (Shawn Mullins). The project was mastered by Grammy-award winner David Glasser, whose resume includes the likes of Woody Guthrie and the Dave Matthews Band.
Things continue to stay busy for Steve, as he compiles new material for his first CD in eight years. For the past six years Steve has performed in a duo act named the acoustic blend (MYSPACE.COM/ACOUSTICBLENDMUSIC) with Ken Davis. Steve also enjoys playing with fellow Mayberryans Jerry Chapman and Danny Lloyd.
Steve and his wife, Lorie, live in Mount Airy, NC - otherwise known as Mayberry from "The Andy Griffith Show." Together they reside with their two dogs, two cats, and two sons.
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hey guess what i went to chicago this weekend to see my boyfriend whose been my best friend for four years and he asked me to marry him so now were engaged but its going to be about a year before we tie the knot just wanted to share the awesome news with you!!!!!
hey steve! we're doing an evening of JACK JOHNSON music. this saturday (feb. 2nd). 8pm. the garage in winston-salem. see you there! hope you're having a great week. mbg
WHAT NOT TILL MARCH!!! thats so depressing:( anyways life is good, swimming is going really well my backstoke times are getting pretty fast :) oh yeah and I might be trying out for a summer dance program at school of the arts although I haven't decided for sure yet...then of course theres school(no comment)
Musicians of Mayberry 2nd Anniversary Party will NOT be held at The Vanishing Point this year, but instead MoM and friends will be meeting and celebrating at The Good Life Cafe (Main-Oak Emporium / Outfitters) on historic old Main Street in Mount Airy. The party will be DEC 15th and will run from 2pm until 6pm. While MoM is not booking bands for this event, do bring your acoustic instruments!
I haven't heard from them in years. The boys wanted to contact Tim two years ago and we did,He came and spent some time with them, Mark- My husband and I let him stay with us, he stayed in Josh's room, but a couple of months ago he stopped calling. He has been through a couple more divorces and has meet someone new, but at least the boys got to see him. yup Ashley is doing great studying to be a pharmacist. She is taking some test this week to be a tech in the pharmacy . Josh has had a few years of pretty bad health, immune system, heart and respiratory, but right now he is attending school, he missed the last two years, but really wanted to attend his senior year. Dusty is a SOCCER nut, eats and sleeps the sport!. He is on the High School team, he has played since he was in the first grade at a local YMCA and after a few years I got to coach it, then Ashley started coaching. We are all doing great. I am so happy that you are doing good and have a family. Children are such a awesome gift from God! I have a awesome husband. If you go to my space, check his page out he is Mark. Ashley, Josh and Dusty are also there. Ashley is -winter. Are you still in contact with the Marsdens or Schambachs??? Love Kim
lol it's prly a tie..maybe....wow thats really exciting i can't wait to hear ya! are u still palying the same kinda stuff u used to??...lol oh please def tell ppl!!! :]
do u think i can opt to take it like 1st period?..... cuz i found out i now have that class open... but i am already gonna have to drive to mtairy and back once... and dont wanna use all that gas..... what do u think?
so im pretty up set i signed up for ap biology and it knocked me outta new testament im pretty mad... no lie... i miss you when does ur band play again? -JJ
oh... i dunno. i was referring to a premarital counseling whatever; he and i have some issues. i'd like us to visit with you in person, since max hasn't even met you yet. however, driving all over for various one-day things lately is getting to be a big pain in the butt. but lemme know.
ARGH!!!! that makes me very angry....now i'll have to really pulverize u when we play another time lol
i didn't get to go today cus Noah had somthin to do and we didn't have a ride :[...but i assume it was very fun since the best player wasn't there (me) lol
Hey steve, I just got back from Acts Alive work camp and we sang the song Tapestr ythat you wrote. I thought I had a Cd of it but i cant find it on any that I have. Did you ever record it?
We have added a third song to our site. The new one is called "Can You Hear Me Now" -- let us know what you think! A fourth song will be added in 24 - 48 hours, so check back again for that.
The songs on our site are draft, first take recordings done in the bedroom of our lead guitarist, complete with flaws and timing issues and such background noise as spinning fans and giggling babies. We are laying down new and improved versions of these songs and several new tunes for a 10 song CD we hope to have available at our debut live performance on July 21st at The Good Life Cafe in Mount Airy. Included on the demo CD is our twisted cover of "Riders On the Storm" by The Doors.
If you can't get a copy of our CD on July 21st but wish to own a copy, just let us know. Meanwhile, thanks for being our friend and for checking out our music. You Rock!
