_

Steve,  Long Island Blues Society's 2008 representative at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis TN, is a native Long Islander. He has been a carpenter, high school English teacher, computer tech, commercial shell fisherman, truck driver, landscape crew foreman, air traffic controller, and union rep (and those are just some of the jobs). “It hasn’t been dull”, as Ellen, his wife of 50 years, puts it. What he is now is one hell of a songwriter, guitarist, singer, and performer. “Music has always been a big part of my life. I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. It’s an Irish thing.” Steve is a self-taught guitarist and has developed his own unique finger style combining driving rhythms with tasteful licks. His songwriting abilities were confirmed by fellow songwriters when they chose him as the winner of the coveted ISS Writer’s Choice award the first time he entered and 5 times subsequently. His CD of 12 originals, "Back Roads", contains 12 gems that range from blues, country, soul, folk, and jazz, each one delivered with an authenticity and soulfulness that is rare.  His latest release "Life Down Here On Earth" is a multi genre "tour de force" of 10 originals and 4 stunning cover tunes . On both CDs he has been backed up by a world class group of musicians including Paul McCartney drummer Steve Holley and Grammy Award winning engineer Bob Stander.  Ask him about his musical influences and he is likely to smile. “Too many to count.” His favorite artists tend to be other great Americana songwriters such as John Hiatt, Delbert McClinton, Steve Earle, Guy Clark, Paul Brady, Jimmy LaFave, and Slaid Cleaves and great performers like blues guru John Hammond. “Each of these guys has a knack for reaching into your gut and pulling out a truth so crystal clear it leaves you gasping for breath. That is the kind of songwriter I want to be.” He is well on his way.