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Being a bass player is one thing. Being a bass player that fits in to any musical situation is another. To find that unique trait, look no further than Steve Cook. Steve has been called ‘A bass player’s bass player’ for his solid, uncompromising groove, taste, and energy. Steve got his musical career off the ground at 8 years old, when he took up violin. After learning the saxophone and guitar, a schoolmate convinced him that the world didn’t have enough bass players. At age 13, clenching $100, Steve went to the local pawn shop and purchased his first bass. He hasn’t looked back since.
Steve’s pursuit of music took him from his home in Virginia Beach, VA to college in Hattiesburg, MS. At the University of Southern Mississippi, Steve spent four years in the highly acclaimed 12 o’clock Jazz Lab. Armed with a new degree in Marketing, Steve headed to Nashville for almost two years of waiting tables, showcases and demo work. He was then called back to Hattiesburg by former classmates who had forged a decent name for themselves in a new band called
King Konga.
King Konga was an acoustic-percussion based pop group with comparisons to Dave Matthews and Edwin McCain. The band was a four-piece with a percussionist rounding out the quartet. “I had to find my place quickly”, remembers Steve “there was a lot going on musically, so I was the foundation, playing simple, yet melodic lines to compliment my two percussionists”. Steve performed with King Konga for seven years, logging over 1200 shows all over the U.S., including Woodstock ‘99, and countless opening slots for national acts. Never being able to capitalize on the success with a label deal, King Konga separated to pursue various projects.
“Being out of a band for the first time in seven years was a hard thing”, Steve remembers, “and as a musician, not having to be somewhere at 10 PM on a Friday night is an odd feeling.” Steve spent his newfound free time getting back in to a learning mode. “I pulled out the old jazz charts, and would just jam for hours.” Steve also kept busy doing gigs and album work in and around Atlanta, GA.
Steve didn’t have much down time, joining the melodic rock band Course of Nature
in October 2003. Course of Nature was a new musical direction for Steve, and a great opportunity to play a whole new genre of music. Steve muses, “I was raised on the Police, went to school for jazz, got paid for country demos, and made a name playing pop rock. Hard rock seemed like the next logical step. Look for me in a polka band 6 years from now”. In 2004, Steve and the band parted ways, forcing yet another jump for Steve. This time, coming full circle and moving back to Nashville.
Upon his arrival in Nashville, Steve signed on with emerging artist Jen Foster, performing with her for 8 months. In is down time between shows, Steve also recorded on numerous projects, including two songs with Megan McCauley (Windup) that were on the soundtracks for ‘Electra’ and ‘Fantastic 4’, and tracking a record for the power rock band Midajo.
Steve has shared the stage with many luminaries in the music world, with styles ranging from rock to rap to R&B. He has been spotted performing with Pat Green, Sarah Bettens (of k’s Choice), Sister Hazel, Jen Porter, Hootie and the Blowfish, Trent Tomlinson, and Edwin McCain. Steve continues his unwavering love for touring and performing, signing on with Bucky Covington (Lyric Street) to support his self-titled debut album.
Steve continues on with his mantra – Love life, and play every note like it is your last.
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