NEWS!!!! Rollie Stevens was given the DisCovery Award By Music Row Magazine's Robert K Oermann for July 2008ROLLIE STEVENS
Biography
Sometimes in the midst of a tragic automobile accident or after fighting a hi-rise fire,
a flash of inspiration hits Rollie Stevens. He’ll grab his pen and on the back of an Encounter form a hook line is written or even a whole song verse. No, not make believe, this has happened more than a few times to Rollie Stevens.
Rollie Stevens, a Firefighter/Singer in Phoenix, Arizona, writes Mainstream Country and sings about Life -- lost and saved, Love and occasionally the West that he truly loves. As a youngster, growing up around the Arizona desert, Rollie’s singing career began in 1996. “I would always sing around the fire station while cooking or cleaning. One night the firefighters talked me into entering a talent show at Graham Central Station. I sang one of Marty Robbins’ songs, ‘El Paso,’ and was accused of lip-synching.†Definitely a huge compliment, but it was then that Rollie knew he needed his own style. Although he tributes Marty in all performances, Rollie’s other influences include George Jones, Merle Haggard, Glen Campbell, George Strait, Garth and Engelbert Humperdink. He learned his craft from singers with incredible vocal range resulting in the style of what is now Rollie Stevens.
In 1997 Rollie made his debut at Fan Fair in Nashville, TN at the IFCO Booth where he was introduced to many fans and Stars. Later that summer he was the first country act to ever perform at the newly refurbished Orpheum Theater in downtown Phoenix, opening shows for Johnny Rodriguez and Arizona’s own Rex Allen, Jr. Rollie was Awarded by the Arizona Country Music Association the “Best New Male Vocalist†and “Songwriter of the Year†awards for his song “Middle of a Heartacheâ€, co-written by Rose Diehl (Rollie’s Mother). In the spring of 1998, he traveled back to Nashville, performing at A-Team West All Star Revue at Graham Central Station, the annual Country Radio Seminar, and performed at many night spots around Music City.
Rollie has entertained at Country Thunder USA, Arizona’s largest country music event, where he shared the stage with such major acts as Alan Jackson, Sawyer Brown, the late Chris LeDoux, Steve Holy, Emerson Drive and Trick Pony. Other performances include Festivals of the West and the WMA Events throughout the US. Wherever Rollie performs he is always asked to come back. “I sing everywhere and anywhere they let me.†He has developed a large following throughout the Southwest, across the country and internationally. He won two talent shows at the Nashville Palace in Nashville, was a finalist in the Colgate Country Showdown in Arizona, and was also a “Star Seeker†winner with Norwegian Cruise lines.
Rollie is a prolific songwriter with over 200 songs to his credit. With Over 60 BMI works Rollie has recorded seven albums of originals when not fighting fires!! Recently he has been co-writing with some of the top songwriters in Nashville, including Don Goodman, Royce Porter, Anita Cox, Corey Baxter and Pat McGrath. His latest sessions were recorded at The Sound Kitchen, The Love Shack, Direct Image with Kenny Royster, Makin’ Music Studio, and Hilltop. Currently he is working with legendary country artist Lynn Anderson, Hall of Fame songwriter, Liz Anderson, Mentor Williams, Jim and Joe Music, and Grady & Kathy Walker. Two new CDs are scheduled for release this year, one Western and one Mainstream Country.
For further information, e-mail [email protected]
