His mother was a schoolteacher and his father held a factory job. In his family, they were the first generation that didn’t work the farm. As a songwriter, Stephen’s vision has grown to entail more than just reflections of rural America. The songs on his recordings, deal with existential realities that are familiar to country and city dwellers alike: redemption, heartbreak, hangovers and the loneliness of the road. Stephen’s records: The Superstore, Last Call, Drink Ring Jesus, Something In Between, The Blame’s On U.S., Girls, Live at Blue Highways and The Big Show (which were compared to everyone from Johnny Cash to Ryan Adams) combine virtuosic songcraft and musicianship with unparalleled artistic honesty.

Simmons released his debut studio album, Last Call, in 2004. “Lay On The Tracks”, a standout track from Last Call, was a winner at the prestigious MerleFest Chris Austin Songwriting Competition. Last Call was praised by critics on both sides of the Atlantic, picked up and released by Rounder Europe Records, which were followed by three more Rounder Europe releases and extensive touring in Europe (including high profile shows at the Blue Highways, Rhythm and Blues, and Take Root Festivals in The Netherlands) as well as continued touring throughout the United States.

The past few years have seen Simmons continue to tour aggressively throughout the U.S. and Europe (doing multiple tours in 10 different countries) to promote 2011's The Big Show: Which was released on Atlanta based Indie Lower 40 Records in the States, and Germany based Roots Rock label Blue Rose Records in Europe.

In the summer of 2012 Simmons partnered with the fan-funding platform Kickstarter for the second time to raise the funds for a new band project. Hearsay is set to be released on Lower 40 Records on July 19, 2013 in the U.S.

U.S.

Press:

"a singer-songwriter of marked depth and commitment, (he) recalls a more subdued Steve Earle, a more grounded Ryan Adams and any aggregation of three-named Texas troubadours you'd care to recall."

- -- Bill Friskics-Warren, THE NASHVILLE SCENE

"...not many singers achieve such a confident, full-bodied sound while delivering conversational confessions."

- — Geoffrey Himes , THE WASHINGTON POST

"Vivid, intelligent and soulful."

- Rob Hughes, UNCUT (UK)

"...he's a Bible Belt barstool philosopher singing of sin and redemption. Intelligent, intense, and easy to like."

- – Sylvie Simmons, MOJO (UK)