Steven Gellman: vocals & guitar. Rick Kanton: guitar, mandolin & harmony vocals.
Don't forget, all of my music is available on iTunes and other online retailers, or via my website www.hiddenpoet.com.
Influences
Kate Wolf, John Denver, Ann & Nancy Wilson & Heart, Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham & Fleetwood Mac, Mary Chapin Charpentar, Luka Bloom, Patty Griffin, Paul Simon, Cheryl Wheeler, Billie Joe Armstrong & Green Day, Cowboy Junkies, Ryan Adams, Indigo girls, Jimmy Rankin & the Rankin family, Irish music.
Billboard Magazine describes Steven Gellman’s music as "intensely sensitive and impressively intelligent at the same time." As another reviewer aptly phrased it, Gellman’s songs are "Kodak moments" from his life.
He often performs in nursing homes and retirement communities, and even used a choir of senior citizens as backup on the track "Almeda at 90" from his album "Photobook." Dick Cerri, President of the World Folk Music Association, says, "Steve's natural ability on stage enables an audience to not only enjoy the songs and stories, but to participate in the performance."
Nowhere is there a better example of how Gellman touches people's lives than the story of fan Jennifer Baker, blind and wheelchair bound from a lifelong struggle with kidney failure. She first heard Steven at a Borders Book store concert and instantly became one of his most ardent fans. His music was an inspiration to her in her last months, and Gellman performed at a memorial service in her honor to benefit the National Kidney Association. The song "A Little Bit Fine" on Steven's CD "Return to Summer Lake" was written for Jennifer, and is one of his most requested songs.
His new release, "Love Loss Longing," is Steven's first concept album. The eleven-song collection describes the journey one goes through at the end of a relationship. As Steven puts it, "to me, each song represents a chapter in a book; there is a beginning, middle and end. Every emotion is explored here -- sadness, anger, hope and joy."
Gellman performs throughout the United States and Canada at the premiere acoustic music venues such as The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA, The Ark in Ann Arbor, Michigan, The Blue Bird Café in Nashville, TN, The Tin Angel in Philadelphia, PA, and Club Passim in Boston, MA. In Washington, DC, he has performed at the venerated National Theatre and the most sought after venue of all, The White House. Steven has opened shows for Dar Williams, Cheryl Wheeler, Richie Havens, Richard Shindell and Al Stewart.
Steven has garnered critical acclaim across the country - he was nominated for 4 awards from The Washington Area Music Association Awards (WAMA) and by The Gay/Lesbian American Music Awards (GLAMA) for Debut Album of the Year. His release "Return to Summer Lake" was chosen by Barnes & Noble for national distribution and was featured on their listening post wall.
Don Murphy of the National Theatre says, "Steven Gellman's insightful, original songs and homespun stories provide a soul-warming folk rock respite in a busy, chilly world."
Steven has begun recording his next album, titled "Peaceful World," with a release date sometime in 2008.
Hey Steve, Thanks for opening for us at the Poolesville Festival. You sounded GREAT!!!!! We'll be there next year, hope you will too. Keep doing your thing, my brother!!!
Sorry I couldn't join you at Yuan Fu tonight, but I was having SO much fun with my family in Baltimore I could've plotzed. Anyway, let's try to do something next week.
I finally found the comment! I thought I would surprise you with one, but you beat me to it. I hope your day is going well. Thanks again for making my birthday so special.
We had the reuben sandwich at common market today and thought of you...it was as good as you said it would be! We're about to try the coconut milk soy delicious ice cream...
Steven, It's good to hear your music again. Keep on doin' that special magic. Thanks for the add. Nich Connelly West Ridge Music Experience / NJC Music
Hey! Yes, we saw Kate & she was awesome. Lots of fun. HOw's your new CD? I never check my myspace so I'm sorry I didn't see this or we could've had lunch before school started. Maybe a weekend? or we have a day off in October. G-mail me: jmlehmann@gmail.com. That way I'll see it!!!
And nice to meet you. I like your music, but I have to put your album on the list for next month. (I know that the best fan mail has a $ at the beginning. )
Steve, We are so happy for you that your dream of Ireland is finaly coming true and in such a magnificent way. I know it will one of the most wonderful and special days of your life. Our hearts and spirits will be with you as always. I wish we could in body too but even the cheap flights are more than we have now. We are filled with such gradituted for the offer and that you have this chance for something you've long for for so long. Diane and I are so very, very, very happy for you. This is the best news we've heard ever! (Unless of course we win the lottery soon enough and then well be right there with you)What ever it takes we will be at the reception. Love ya, Laurie and Diane
