News

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 11:54 AM PST

Hello everyone!

Greetings from South America! I am on an extended leave from my North American gigs while on vacation with my family in Ecuador. We arrived at the end of January and will return mid-April. My performance schedule will resume at the Hyatt-Regency, Lake Tahoe Memorial Day weekend and continue for the forseeable future.

If you'd like to read about our experiences here you can go to:

tahoeluke.wordpress.com.

Thanks so very much for all of your support and I hope our paths cross again soon!

Best wishes, Horseback in Ecuador

Luke

Last week I had the great pleasure of meeting and listening to the talented Luke Stevenson. If I hadn’t known better, I would have thought I was walking into a James Taylor or John Denver show.

Stevenson comments, “I feel so blessed to make a living doing what I love.” With that, it was simple for me to automatically pick up on how much this talented musician loves what he does, consequently touching everyone in the room who had the wonderful chance to hear him sing live with his guitar.

A devoted father, singer and songwriter, Stevenson mainly performs some of music’s favorite ballads from the last 30 years.

Born in the Midwest, Stevenson grew up singing along to classics such as Neil Diamond. At the young age of seven, he picked up a guitar that his father bought for his mother and never really put it down. Self-taught, he began playing along to his Beatles albums and shortly after he was performing for more than 50 people at the local youth center, which his parents ran. Years later, Stevenson found himself relocating to Lake Tahoe, where he had absolutely no plans of pursuing a music career.

Previously a golf pro, Stevenson was approached on the greens in 1994 and offered a job singing at the Lone Eagle Grille. Now 11 years later, you can still find him there on Wednesday through Saturday nights from 7-11 p.m.

With a setting on the lake, huge beautiful windows, plush couches, a full bar, blazing fireplaces and a fine dining restaurant nearby, Stevenson’s charisma and talented voice warms up the entire room. On top of that, Stevenson keeps busy performing all over the United States. From the Bahamas, Grand Cayman Islands, Cancun, to the Salt Lake City Olympics, he also enjoys singing for private engagements such as weddings and birthdays. Additionally, he has been working hard to continue writing his own music, happily releasing his third CD, titled “Luke.”

After talking to Stevenson, it is clear, though, what his true passion is. His nine-year-old daughter, Bailey Sierra Stevenson. Also self-taught, one of Stevenson’s favorite memories is this past Christmas Eve, singing six songs with her at the Lone Eagle Grille.

Although he doesn’t sing as much country music, he is a huge country fan, mentioning that, “Country songs have some of the most meaningful lyrics around that just make you feel good.”

Likewise, Stevenson enjoys writing mainly about family, friends, relationships and just life. It seems that it is easy for Stevenson to find inspiration for his own lyrics just about anywhere. On a recent trip to Disneyland with Bailey, Stevenson expressed how he found himself fixated on the people screaming with fear and excitement on the rides above him as he waited in the long lines. Unaware that the line was moving, he noticed that Bailey kept having to tug him to pay attention to the line he was in and to move on forward. It was then that he came up with the realization that it is so easy to get distracted and not focus on what is going on right in front of you and in the moment. These sorts of everyday lessons are exactly what he tries to put into his songs lyrics.

“It is satisfying to see music mean something and touch people, letting the music become an emotional experience.”

	Incline singer and songwriter inspired by family, friends and life
Emily Harless special to the Action, Tahoe Bonanza

Finally, I will say meeting Stevenson was indeed a privilege, and I encourage everyone and anyone to take advantage of the opportunity. An incredibly gentle and amiable person, he touches his audiences as an artist and on a friendship level.
If you are interested in learning more about Stevenson or are interested in purchasing one of his three CDs, you can also check him out on his personal Web site at www.tahoeluke.com.

Long-time fans of local singer/songwriter, Luke Stevenson, had the exclusive opportunity last Thursday at the Hyatt Regency at Lake Tahoe to be part of his first live sound and full-length DVD recording including his new single "Someone, Someway, Somewhere." "I feel so blessed to make a living doing what I love!" said Stevenson. This passion for performing was evident to audience members, whom he greeted individually as they filled the recording room. In addition to his sheer talent, Stevenson's faithful following seems largely due to the personal attention he gives to his listeners. Those here are "people who have heard him and come to know and love him," said Skye Layne, Stevenson's manager. Many people travel to Tahoe specifically to catch a performance, according to Layne. He bonds with his audience through mingling among the crowd playing requests. "Music is a universal language and it gives me great pleasure sharing thoughts and feelings in song with the people who come to listen. In its highest form, music can be a reminder of what's most important in life: friends, family, understanding, compassion and, of course, love!" While Stevenson sings cover and original songs that hold meaning and memories for people, he personally has been an integral part of people's lives. According to Layne, a couple from San Diego played his CD while giving birth to their baby. Bob and Jane Hoff, also among the avid fans, met each other while listening to Stevenson at the Lone Eagle Grill nine years ago. Luke then performed at their wedding. Don and Bea Epstein, of Incline Village, have been attending his shows at the Lone Eagle regularly since 1994 and hired him to play at their vow renewal. "He brought magic to the event. We had people from many different countries and states attend, and he impressed them all." "Mother of the Lake," on his first of three CDs, "captures the spirit of Tahoe," said Bea. As Stevenson approached the stage, Bea rose to energize the crowd. "We're all here because we love Luke...we're all here to make him a national star. Let's just rock this place!" And he did just that as he ran down his repertoire ranging from Harry Chapin's "Cat's in a Cradle" to the James Taylor classic "You've Got a Friend" to a couple Greenday hits to his original works including "Mother of the Lake," "Sweetest Possibility" and his new release. Bailey, Stevenson's 10-year-old daughter and no stranger to the screen having previously been in a Rosemary's Ribs commercial, and her friend Margueritte, age 8, were also in attendance. "It's my favorite music," said Bailey. The proud father keeps a photo of Bailey, his inspiration, attached to his guitar. "She's the main focus of my life and I like to share that with other people." Bailey also graced the audience with a song. Stevenson is happy with the outcome of this recording, noting the professionalism of the production crew including High Sierra Productions, Starling Video, John Schlick and Humblebee Records, Inc. "People were really supportive of me, I appreciate that. I learned a lot from the experience and I hope it will help my performances." "Someone, Someway, Somewhere" will be released to radio stations later this week with the hope that fans will call in to those stations to request the song be played. Though he performs at the Lone Eagle at the Hyatt Regency at Lake Tahoe on Wednesday through Saturday evenings, schedule permitting, Stevenson's talents take him regularly across the U.S. and abroad, performing at corporate engagements, special events, private parties, weddings, and receptions. He recently performed at the National State Treasurers Association meeting at Thunderbird Lodge, and found a fan in Brian K. Krolicki, State Treasurer of Nevada, according to Layne. For more information about the artist, his music and performance schedule, visit www.tahoeluke.com.