Stephen is most comfortable when he has a guitar in his hands. His father played guitar in a band when Steve was a child. Steve remembers going into the Woolworth's dime store during the 1950s and being fascinated with the guitars on the shelf. That hasn't changed much in since. Steve has been an accomplished guitar player for three decades. Those who hear him play country call him Steve Atkins. Those who hear him play worship music consider him first and foremost a church worship musician. To rockers, he is the essence of what a rock player is. Those who hear him play the blues are able to hear the true heart of this unique guitar player. While all musicians have influences that guide their development as players, Steve is one of those players that has truly been able to go beyond imitation to become an expressive and original player. Steve put it like this: "Over thirty years ago I started with the blues; now I will end with the blues."