biography
Steve Stern is from Fairmont, West Virginia. He began playing in bands, writing songs, and doing solo performances when he was 15 years old. In the early 1970’s, while attending WVU, he played in coffee houses and small clubs, and then moved to Pittsburgh to attend Pitt, continuing public performances there. His band, The New Anthem Band, started in 1986 and played at many regional fairs, clubs, and bars. It was featured at motorcycle rallies, since he wrote “The Bikers Anthem”.
Teaming with Laurie Cackowoski, he played with an ensemble of musicians beginning in 1989 called “Guns & Garters”, providing over 200 performances every year in W. Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia.
In 1993, Steve moved to Nashville to build a career, especially as a songwriter. In June, 1997, at the age of 43, he had heart by-pass surgery. This album was produced on the rebound after he decided that the songs were worth hearing, and needed to be heard, especially among acoustic and bluegrass music lovers.
Steve is the co-founder and President of the Mobile Electronics Competition Association, MECA, the largest car audio sports organization in the USA. The club has chapters and members in China, Thailand, the UK, Mexico, British Virgin Islands, & Canada. He oversees 150+ events each year and promotes the enjoyment of music in mobile environments.
Steve lives in Goodlettsville, TN about 15 miles north of Nashville with his wife Susan and their 3 kids: Callan 20, Ethan 11, and Rachel 6.
He spends a lot of time on the road. He doesn’t really have any spare time, but he likes to ride his 1984 H-D Electra-Glide whenever possible. He enjoys time spent on the lawn tractor.
“Steam Powered Stern” is his first CD release. The players are world-renowned on their instruments, including:
Mike McAdam - Acoustic Guitar
Van Manakas - Acoustic Guitar
Kenny Malone - Percussion
Dave Roe - Bass
Barbara Lamb - Fiddle
Charlie Cushman - Banjo
Ronnie McCoury - Mandolin
Pete Finney - Steel Guitar
Randy Kohrs - Dobro
Lisa Aguilar sings background vocals and joins Steve for “In My Arms”, a powerful duet.
Steve sings and plays his Takamine 6-string guitar for these sessions. He is a member of Nashville’s AFM #257 union, IBMA, SPBGMA, AMA, and NSAI. And, he volunteers for the annual Nashville Songwriters Festival, held in June on Music Row, as a fundraiser and "whatever needs done" helper.
Check Steve’s web site www.stevesternmusic.com for pics, album literature, and gigs coming up for the 2008 season.
