Highway
The Grass Aint Never Greener
Steve’s story starts way back in the late 70’s and early 80’s when his taste for music was first discovered at school. After playing Cornett in the school band for about 10 minutes he was moved to the percussion section where for the next 6 years he would learn the art of Drumming.
This culminated with many performances and ended up at the Sydney opera house where he first got the taste for playing to an audience. He will be the first to admit that there where better drummers around but this was the start of his musical journey.
He soon discovered that he had an ear for music and singing and soon took up the guitar, at age 18 he became a late bloomer and cut his teeth playing pop rock songs in a local band as the lead singer and guitarist.
After returning from the U.S.A. In 1991 Steve got to work on writing and recording his first solo album. This was released in 94 entitled “living upstairs”. This work was done on a shoestring budget and contained different genres such as rock, blues, country and Gospel.
It was becoming obvious to those around him that Steve was not comfortable as being labeled as just a rock player and he started to progress into different avenues. So Steve went solo, left the band and began playing solo in clubs, pubs & restaurants.
He began writing jingles, soundtracks, children’s music and Christian
chorus. This lead to a brief publishing contract with the Anglican youth
department. When the project was dumped for lack of funds Steve decided
he would do something he wanted to do for years. He went to university
at the age of 31 also that year he married lee.
Since the age of 12 Steve had been involved in a youth camp in NSW called
Teen Ranch. The ranch had been a major part of his life and a special
place for him. He remembered all the songs that he had sung as a boy at
teen ranch, for years people had wanted to some how record these for future
generations. Steve took on the project of Recording the beloved TEEN RANCH
songs. This was to be his first Production assignment.
This was accomplished and Steve arranged, recorded, Produced and played
most of the instruments on this album, he also added 3 of his own songs
to the project it was released in 2002.
Also to help with promotion, Steve With the Help of PHILLIP KAYE shot
& edited a video Steve also wrote a sound track for the Video showing
people what Teen Ranch had to offer.
Steve’s musical skills were now blooming. He was now a multi-instrumentalist playing guitar, keyboards & piano, Banjo, bass and drums….But another passion was starting to emerge….country music.
People had told him that he had a bit of a country sound for a long time
so Steve decided to write a country album. He had much experience in this
area as he had worked as a Horse wrangler on and off for about 10 years.
His extensive traveling to all parts of the world and Australia had given
him a wealth of material. With these things in mind Steve wrote and recorded
the album “BLUE SKY” which he released in 2003.
This was a real learning curve and a massive achievement as Steve decided to Produce and engineer the album. He had now purchased a recording studio and was learning about how to make an album.
In 2004 Steve re-released the song “HIGHWAY” from the living upstairs album. This time however it had a real country edge..It was punchy and Radio stations began playing it. COOL COUNTRY FM picked it as a single and it began major airplay in October 2004.
Steve began then writing songs for others and recording them in his new studio ALPHA & OMEGA DIGITAL RECORDING STUDIO.
He submitted songs to film companies and Publishers as well as artists such as Jimmy Barnes, Michael car, Sara Stora and Bella.
Steve is just about to re-release “BLUE SKY” with Highway
as the first single.
The album now has a real country sound. Steve’s production and guitar
playing are a real feature. Some new songs have been added and the production
is clean and crisp.
The album features some great standard country songs as well a Steve’s unmistakable unique country/ rock sound. The album also features a couple of real heart warming Ballads “The grass ain’t never greener” is a moving piece of work that any songwriter would like to call their own.
In 2006 Steve began getting noticed and was rewarded with a T.V. spot on channel 10 with TIM BAILEY. Also he played the Main arena of the Sydney Royal Easter Show as well as spots at festivals such as the Ingleburn Alive Festival and the Galston Festival, at which he played to over 30,000 people.
Also in 2006 he was named a finalist for the APRA PROFESSIONAL DEVOLOPMENT AWARD, he was also awarded the Bob Thorton award for songhwritting. In 2006 as well steve began the production of his new album THE RIVER.
The first single, the title track THE RIVER was named as a finalist for the TAs & NZ songwritter awards pre - release. The album will be released late 2006 early 2007. The production is clean and crisp and also Steve has co-wriiten some tracks with Kik Fm's Aleta Tulk.
Nowadays Steve can be found in Tahmoor NSW writing and recording in the studio as well as being a sought after session musician. When not working in the studio Steve can be found doing what he does best..Playing live in many venues throughout NSW and the greater Sydney region. It seems like a long time ago when he was stuck behind the drum kit at 12 years of age.
Steve has now been a professional musician for 10 years and has been
in the
Music industry for 15 years. He has toured throughout Victoria and country
NSW as well as working for a short stint on Dunk Island and Cairns.
Just to show his versatility his has also been working with international NEIL DIAMOND impersonator J.J. JONES as the musical director and guitarist in his show, as well as guest spots on the BILL KELLY SHOW.
He has produced a string of local artist now in the studio including ASHLI LOVE, LAUREN AZAR, WENDY FORD, AMBER ROBINSON, COLIN CLARKE, SIMONE QUINE & UNLEADED just to name a few.
He has a fresh sound that is unlike anything else, he certainly has a gift for hearing what a song needs to bring it alive.