Stevie Tombstone
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“Stevie Tombstone has been making some great music for the better part of three decades without ever getting the huge success his tremendous blend of edgy country and blues deserves. Back in the 80s and 90s he was front man of the excellent Tombstones’ who played a fiery punked up brand of roots music. He has made six solo albums since. Stylistically he is probably difficult to compare to anyone else although John Prine and Peter Case do come to mind at times, with Stevie’s vocals, despite having a dark edginess being much warmer and more melodic than that esteemed pair!. – Americana Roots UK
After a chance meeting with Roy Acuff, Stevie (then, a young man) was certain he would always be a musician. Born in rural Georgia, Stevie learned the ropes playing country, gospel, and blues. Rebelling against his roots, he immersed himself in the world of rock and the underground music scene of the 80s in Atlanta but never lost the twang of his childhood. Almost three decades later, he has become an accomplished performer and songwriter. Stevie has now released five solo albums and several music videos, produced music with his 1980s swamp rockabilly band, The Tombstones, and made appearances on compilations all over the damn place. In his early days, Stevie penned the college radio anthem and regional hit “Nobody”, which was later recorded by rock icon, Stiv Bators. After separating with The Tombstones in the 1990s, he toured as the supporting act for Jason & the Scorchers in Europe, which opened the door for his solo career. Taking a more serious approach to songwriting, he then began to write with as many accomplished song-writers as he could find in every realm of the music world, from street poets to music row regulars.
Bouncing between Atlanta, Nashville, and Austin, Stevie recorded Second Hand Sin (1999) and Acoustica (2000) and then settled in Texas. His full-length debut CD, 7:30 am (2003), showcased his singing ability and continuing growth as a songwriter. The CD spent six weeks in the top ten of XM Radio’s Channel 12 (X-Country) charts, including two weeks at #1. During this period, Stevie worked as a sideman for several respected Texas acts, including acclaimed songwriter, Rich Minus, and songstress, Texacala Jones. 2004 brought the Cash tribute/compilation, “Dear Johnny”, featuring Stevie’s version of “Folsom Prison Blues”, which received airplay and great reviews. 2006 found Stevie briefly back at the helm of the Tombstones for a national tour to support the re-release of the bands earlier material. Leaving the band for the final time, he married Tombstones bassist, Melissa “Killene” Tombstone, returning to his solo work and fatherhood. In 2008, his sold-out show at the Red House Arts Center was broadcast in its entirety on XM’s Wired In series.
Stevie’s band mates, over the years, have been a veritable whos who of underground and nationally recognized players, featuring members of Circus of Power, Wilco, the Georgia Satellites, and Jason & The Scorchers. Priding himself in his ability to cross genres, he has also had the honor of sharing the bill with the likes of Leon Russell, the Stray Cats, Greg Allman, Willie Nelson, Drive By Truckers, Johnny Bush & the Ramones, just to name a few. After living in Austin off and on for almost 10 years, Stevie relocated to Atlanta, the Ozarks, and most recently, Upstate New York . He is currently touring and heading up his own imprint label Altco Recordings as well as producing and writing for other artists.