Brian Stevens Biography

The Stevens family had an old fashion pump player piano and Brian would sit for hours playing various rolls, placing his fingers on the moving keys teaching himself to play. He began taking piano lessons but was disillusioned with the Mel Bay approach to music and at age 13 Brian borrowed his uncle’s Stella acoustic and started taking guitar lessons from an old Beatnik in the cluttered back room of a dusty antique shop on the south side of Chicago where he was schooled in the foundation of three chord progressions, 12 bar blues and classic guitar riffs. Before long Brian was lead guitarist of The Bonivirs performing at teen clubs, sock hops, and competing in “battle of the bands”. Hopes were high and the future promising but then…..

Go west young man go west, the Stevens family moved to Colorado. The guitar became his social introduction and soon Brian joined the Denver music scene performing at dances, military base teen clubs, college frat house parties and ultimately the Colorado 3.2 bar circuit. By his senior year Brian was performing weekends with the band Orange Wedge at the infamous BAJA on Stout street notorious for such notables as James Brown, Sam & Dave and the live recording of the Astronauts LP. Graduating 1970, the summer following Woodstock found Brian performing in Grand Lake, Co. where many of the popular singer/songwriters of the time would pass through. Brian spent many a late night jamming at the Rapids Lodge and Pine Cone Inn with the likes of Rob Carmichael, Scotty Lawrence (Youngbloods) , Richard Dean ( Michael Martin Murphy), Jim Hoppes , Steve Fromholz (Steven Stills), Dan Dodrill, Willis Allen Ramsey (Captain and Tennille), Steve Abbott, and Jerry Jeff Walker. Listening, learning and honing his skills.

That fall, Brian entered college at the University of Northern Colorado where, to his astonishment, the great jazz guitarist Johnny Smith was teaching. Brian enrolled in Johnny’s guitar workshop course learning first-hand from the master. With school schedules and academic responsibilities it was out of the question to commit to a band so it was then that Brian began performing as a solo acoustic artist. During his tenure at UNC Brian played the local clubs and venues and traveled to perform in the neighboring towns of Boulder, Ft Collins and Denver where he opened for several touring acts including Gene Clark (The Byrds), The Johnny Otis Review, Brewer & Shipley and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

Brian went on to complete a Master’s Degree and at 24 years of age headed back to Chicago to pursue his passion. Chicago at the time was experiencing a vibrant music scene. Brian quickly made a name for himself and was recognized as a promising Illinois Entertainer performing across the city from the Bullmarket on the far south side to the Earl of Old Town and Steve Goodman’s Somebody Else’sTroubles up north. He started working with Dave Rudolph (Go Play in Traffic) of Tunesmythe Productions who helped Brian break into the college coffee house market. Brian traveled the midwest performing “ mini-concerts” where he could showcase his original songs. Brain recorded several demos at the Artist Workshop Recording Studio in Kankakee which led to Brian securing a songwriters contract with Uncle Earl Music and soon after, a recording contract with Fortress Records. Working with a host of respected musicians including: Rod Smarr (Dr Hook) guitar, Sydney Johnston (Jimmy Buffett) bass, Clay Caire (Amy Grant) drums, Jeff Tweel (Kenney Rogers) piano, Bob Rans (Peter Brown) keys, Ed Tossing (Styx) synthesizer, and Tommy Dziallo (Peter Brown) guitar, Brian recorded his first album FADED DREAMS  produced by George Marakas of Lemon Pipers fame (Green Tambourine). The LP was released in spring 1979 and the single The Music Never Lies was getting radio play … there was excitement in the air! 

Brian went on the road promoting the record playing festivals, fairs, colleges and clubs. He put together a bench of “all-star” virtuoso musicians who would perform live with Brian as The We Don’t Worry Band. All the players knew each other and were extremely competent, so no matter what the line-up, it was always good fun. Often there was no time to rehearse or even anticipate what Brian would play, thus the We Don’t Worry mantra! Each show was unique and spontaneous. Crowds loved it ! Brian Stevens and The We Don’t Worry Band performed back-to-back years at ChicagoFest held at Navy Pier, billed as the Nation’s largest Summer Music Festival. Brian also had the distinct opportunity to perform live at Cook County Jail ( just like BB ). 

Brian’s musical efforts resulted in becoming a Published Songwriter, Recording Artist and voting member of the Recording Academy (Grammy’s). His single “The Music Never Lies” charted and Billboard recognized “All I Really Do” with a Certificate of Achievement. Inevitably the nights grew long and the road weary, eventually taking its toll so Brian ventured out to pursue a “real job”. Now, after an extended hiatus (decades), Brian is getting back to normal performing and recording once again! Working with Jon Baskind at Chapter Two Recording in Breckenridge, Brian’s extensive archive of tunes initially recorded on analog tape was downloaded to digital format, re-mixed and mastered to produce several compilations that demonstrate Brian’s unique style and talent including two new CD’s :  13 original compositions on “Back 2 Normal”  and  “We Don’t Worry Live” with 15 songs.