Steve Taylor-Ramírez

"Critic’s Choice: Fancy finger picking, weathered vocals ... charisma ... socially conscious originals," wrote j. poet, music critic for the East Bay Express, as well as No Depression, Harp, Paste and other magazines. “I love it!” said four-time Billboard no. 1 songwriter/producer Eddie Galán of Steve’s song Only Advertising. “Stellar gig,” said critic Joel Selvin of the SF Chronicle.“Steve’s a finger-pickin’ pro with songs of revolution and love,” said Kaitlin McGaw of the San Francisco Grammy office. His songs have also earned praise from Kevin Vance (host of "A Patchwork Quilt," KALW 91.7 FM); Alan Kalter of The Late Show; Corey Mason of worldOneradio (KECG 88.1 FM); and bluegrass Grammy winner Laurie Lewis. His songs have aired on radio stations KALW, KUSF, KYCY and KECG. He’s performed live on KALW and KUSF."I like music that has an edge," he says, "songs that deliver a message, a story, and a bit of humor."For two years, Steve was guitarist for an Oakland gospel band. He first performed his own songs in 2004 at a UC Berkeley International House concert. That fall, he formed a band called Cowpokes for Peace and played in the "How Berkeley Can You Be?" Parade.Steve has since performed at La Peña Cultural Center, Starry Plough Pub, Make-Out Room, Café du Nord, SF Folk Festival, L’s Cafe, Plough and the Stars, Mission Cultural Center and other venues.Steve worked as a journalist after earning a master’s degree in Latin American studies and journalism at Columbia University, New York, and a BA at Occidental College, Los Angeles. He began his career as a newspaper reporter, and served as a correspondent for the AP and SF Chronicle, and as book critic for the Napa Register. He’s also worked in radio as a news writer, reporter and producer.