Steve began playing the banjo in 1976 at just 10 years old after being introduced to "bluegrass music" by a cousin.

"My first banjo teacher was a gentleman by the name of Earl Harless. He cut my hair when I was a kid and I didn't know he played banjo until I saw him at a local Community Center. I thought a banjo player was fascinating to watch because both hands were doing so much at the same time, yet producing one single song. I began buying records by Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, The Country Gentlemen, The Dillards, Doc Watson and The Stanley Brothers. My first banjo was a gift from my Grandmother. It was a Sears and Roebuck "special" and cost $100.00 with the case".

While other kids were buying the latest albums by Journey, Chicago and The Doors, Steve was looking for music called, "Foggy Mountain Banjo" and "Foggy Mountain Jamboree".  

In 1982, Steve spent the Summer in Johnson City, Tennessee with his Aunt Nell. He took his banjo, and the book titled "Earl Scruggs and the Five String Banjo". In that 3 month span with his Aunt Nell, Steve learned every song in the Earl Scruggs book....note for note.

Steve joined Emery Ledford & Gunpowder Bluegrass in 1983, and was with Emery for 5 years. He then joined a group called "Special Blend" with Mike O'Farrell and Dave Lewis. In 1990, Steve took 4 years off to pursue a career in entertainment. It was in 1995 Steve returned to bluegrass and joined a group out of Washington called The County Council Band. "The County Council band was made up of congressmen that played bluegrass music. It was great. We had a lot of fun".

In 2001, Steve became a banjo teacher/instructor at The Appalachian Bluegrass Shoppe. After 9 years teaching at the Bluegrass Shoppe Steve decided to broaden his musical endeavors by offering private one on one in home lessons.  "Private lessons offer my students incomparable comfort, convenience and privacy that I don't believe is attainable in the commercial setting".