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Photo By: Wayne Tozzi / www.oprynorth.com

Opry North

Website: http://www.amihere.com

Management: Elisa Amsterdam/ Jana Reid
                        AMI
                       79 Frank Street, P.O. Box 370
                       Campbellford, Ontario K0L 1L0
                       Tel: (705) 653-2700    Fax: (705) 653-2709

Record Label: Page/EMI Canada

Everyone is good at something. In the music industry there are artists who record and perform the material, songwriters who spend their days creating the songs to be performed, and musicians who provide the background for the artist and the song. It is very rare to find one individual who plays each of these roles with equal strength. Steve Fox is definitely an artist with his popularity on Canadian radio and frequent live performances. He is one of the most gifted songwriters in Canada with his material in demand across North America. On top of that, the guy plays a mean guitar. When you package those three elements with a quirky sense of humor and a grounded, genuine personality, you end up with rising Canadian star Steve Fox.

Born in Brampton, Ontario and raised in Vancouver, Steve has been on a musical journey of sorts. Pursuing his musical career in Toronto in the early eighties, Steve experimented with a variety of styles including R and B and alternative before finally settling into his current "edgy" country niche. The first "country" interest came in 1997 from the Nashville publishing companies who recognized Steve's unique style and genuine compositions. With a number of showcases and performances on the Canadian circuit, Steve soon became a highly demanded entertainer across Canada as well as in Nashville. Frequent performances at legendary institutions such as the Bluebird and the Broken Spoke in Nashville attest to his amazing abilities as a Canadian songwriter in the big, bad world of Nashville.

Steve has penned songs for many artists, most notable would be his U.S. hit "Daddy Won't Sell the Farm" recorded by Montgomery Gentry. His work is much sought after on the Canadian scene as well. His songs have been hits for Diane Chase, the Poverty Plainsmen, Gord Bamford and others, not to mention his own success as an artist. With the release of his first country album in late 1998, Steve charmed country radio with the first single "Why" and a round of personal visits. Steve has since provided Canadians with a range of styles and sentiments in his music. His current single "Cheap Red Wine" continues to climb the Canadian charts. With Canadian Country Music Association nominations for 2002 in the categories of album of the year for his second release Small World and independent male artist of the year, Steve Fox has clearly moved from the role of newcomer to mainstay in Canadian country music.

As we all know, no one can become successful at anything in complete isolation. Steve has found fantastic management with Elisa Amsterdam, not to mention the support of his family. Steve and wife Jan have two beautiful children, Jack Henry (two and a half years old) as well as a new baby born in the spring. Steve and his young family are currently residing in Nashville, but watch for him in Canada this fall. Steve, Lisa Brokop and Jamie Warren will be undertaking a songwriter's tour across the country. You won't want to miss these artists in an intimate setting!

When I told people that I was writing a profile on Steve Fox, I got just about the same reaction from everyone. The consensus was, "What a talent! He's such a nut!". When you walk into a room you can identify where Steve is right away. He'll be the one at the center of the big group of people who are laughing uncontrollably. His natural, witty personality shines through on stage as well, especially in the more intimate songwriter's events that he favors. I will never forget seeing him perform "In the Middle of Something" (one of Diane Chase's hits that Steve has written) at the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose last summer. Rather than just singing the song in his own range, he did in Diane's along with actions and "female" expressions. It was hilarious! The amazing thing was that he could then turn around and perform "She Moved", one of his as yet unrecorded songs. Of all of the things that Steve has written (and there have been a lot!), "She Moved" has to be the most touching in my books. This beautiful song will be a huge hit no matter who the artist is who snatches it up.

Steve is one of the rare people you feel like you really know when you meet him for the first time. It is the job of a songwriter to share the most personal and intimate thoughts and feelings with audiences full of strangers. Steve has excelled at this career because he makes the audience of strangers his friends within moments. This has allowed Steve to find that delicate balance between songwriter and performer that can be so elusive.

Every time I see Steve live it is a pleasure. His hysterically funny side is complemented by his touching and sensitive moments. (I bet he never thought that someone would describe him as touching and sensitive!!) After a long musical journey of searching for a comfortable style, Steve has found acceptance and a niche within the ever-expanding umbrella of the country genre. As fans of country music and Canadians, we are all very happy to have found him! Good luck with the CCMA award nominations in September!

Written by Teagan Beedell

August 2002

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