Steven J. Schmidt

Steven J. SchmidtSteven J. SchmidtSteven J. Schmidt

Steven J. Schmidt

Steven J. SchmidtSteven J. SchmidtSteven J. Schmidt
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Steven J. Schmidt Folk-Americana Singer-Songwriter

Steven J. Schmidt Folk-Americana Singer-SongwriterSteven J. Schmidt Folk-Americana Singer-SongwriterSteven J. Schmidt Folk-Americana Singer-Songwriter
Shows & Events

Steven J. Schmidt Receives Minnesota State Arts Board Grant

West Channel Music announced today that singer/songwriter/guitarist Steven J. Schmidt has been awarded a Fiscal Year 2025 Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This grant is made possible by the voters of Minnesota thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.


Schmidt’s project will result in the production of a series of YouTube videos entitled “A Songwriter’s Craft,” a new recording entitled “The Driftless Sessions,” and a concert that will take place on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the History Center of Olmsted County (1195 W Circle Dr Rochester, MN 55902). The date and time each video premiers and concert ticketing details will be announced at a later date on Schmidt’s website, www.stevenjschmidt.net, and on social media.


Schmidt has written hundreds of songs, and each one is like a bottle of fine, bourbon barrel-aged stout. He performs his rich, full-flavored original tunes, crafted over the last fifty years, at house concerts, listening rooms, coffee houses, festivals, and theatres. A highly skilled guitarist some refer to as “a folkie with chops,” Steven is noted for his fingerpicking, novel chord voicings, use of alternate tunings, and playing up-the-neck.


Former Artistic Director and General Manager of the City of Rochester Civic Music Department where he conceived, initiated and programmed such popular programs as the Down by the Riverside, Riverside Live!, World Music, and ForWard concert series for nearly 33-years, Schmidt has been focusing on his own music-making since retiring from public service in 2021. Recognized for his lifetime achievement, contribution, and leadership to the arts in Minnesota with a Sally Ordway Commitment Award, he has been busy writing new songs and performing at various venues across the upper-Midwest.


Schmidt’s music has been featured in a PBS-affiliate KSMQ-TV's "Off 90" segment (https://youtu.be/EEJzK7J28SU), KBEM’s “Twin Cities Weekend” broadcast entitled “Steve Schmidt Creates Midwestern Songwriting Legacy” (Public Radio Exchange -- https://exchange.prx.org/p/349058), several “Open Mic America” segments (https://openmicamerica.com/performer/schmidt-S.html), and a “Music of America” podcast ((https://player.captivate.fm/episode/f46bdc6e-45e4-45e6-9348-96d969d79365).


Two-Time GRAMMY® Award Winners, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer (https://www.cathymarcy.com/) write, “Beautiful imagery and guitar playing!” about Steven’s 2023 National Public Radio “Tiny Desk Concert” submission, “The Witch of the Reeds”. Ken Onstad, President of New Folk Records (https://newfolk-records.com/), says about Steve’s Heartland album, “There could be no better title for this CD. With these songs, Steven has courageously opened up his heart and invited the listeners to experience an amazing reflection on some of the highest and lowest moments in his life. His guitar work is extraordinary; embracing the sad whimsy of a Nick Drake and the creative fury of a Leo Kottke. It is a perfect CD for anyone who enjoys great guitar and great stories."

Heartland

Heartland

Heartland

Listen & Buy - Amazon Music

Heartland

Heartland

Heartland

Listen & Buy - Apple Music

The Road

The Road

The Road

Listen & Buy - Apple Music

The Road

The Road

The Road

Listen & Buy - Amazon Music
Steven J. Schmidt performs at The Tonic Room in Chicago

Steven J. Schmidt

Recipient of  the  Sally Irvine Ordway Award for Commitment, recognizing lifetime achievement, contribution and leadership in the arts and/or culture, Steven J. Schmidt has written hundreds of songs and each one is like a bottle of fine, bourbon barrel-aged stout.  He performs his rich, full-flavored original tunes, crafted over the last forty years, at house concerts, coffee houses, brew pubs, wineries, performing arts centers & theatres, and festivals.  A highly skilled guitarist some refer to as “a folkie with chops,” Steve is noted for his fingerpicking, novel chord voicings, use of alternate tunings, and playing up-the-neck. 

Steven J. Schmidt Joins Northfiled Songwriter Rounds communi

Rochester, MN-based singer/songwriter Steven J. Schmidt is thrilled to announce that he will be joining the Northfield Songwriters in the Round group's session on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at the Grand Event Center, 316 Washington Street in Northfield, Minnesota.  Doors open at 5:00 pm and the music begins at 7:00 pm.  Admission is FREE and the venue features a full bar and kitchen. 


Steven J. Schmidt @ Thursdays Downtown!

Steven Joins the "twin cities songwriter rounds" Community

   

Rochester, MN-based singer/songwriter Steven J. Schmidt has been invited to join the Twin Cities Songwriter Rounds and will perform as part of the St. Paul Songwriter Rounds session on Sunday, May 26, 2024 from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm at The White Squirrel Bar, 974 7th St W, St Paul, MN. This is a free event; performers will be paid on a freewill offering, pass-the-hat basis. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The White Squirrel Bar is handicapped accessible. Seating is limited is available on a first come-first served basis.


Steven J. Schmidt on "Music of america" podcast

Don't miss this podcast where Founder and Host of "Music of America" Tom Pollard interviews and highlights the music of Steven J.  Schmidt.  The podcast premiers on Wednesday, December 6th at 7pm CST.   Here is what Tom Pollard has to say about Steven and his  music" :  "… a Midwestern heart with and old soul… I love [his] storytelling… I love how [he] tells stories with music… [he] just paints beautiful pictures with [his] storytelling… [he] amazes me… a fabulous songwriter, fabulous musician, fabulous storyteller… the epitome of what I like to see when I go to house concerts…”   


Each week, "Music of America" features five different musicians from each state in the country. Week one featured artists from Alabama and will conclude in week 50 with artists from Wyoming.  Steven is honored to be chosen to be one of the five artist to represent the state of Minnesota during the inaugural season of the "Music of America" podcast.  


Here is the link to Steven's podcast:  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/f46bdc6e-45e4-45e6-9348-96d969d79365


STEVEN'S 2023 TINY DESK CONCERT SUBMISSION

Steven J. Schmidt performs his 2023 "Tiny Desk Concert" submission entitled "The Witch of the Reeds",  which is set along the Mississippi River and the Coulee/Driftless Region of West Central Wisconsin/Southeastern Minnesota where piers and docks sometimes vanish in the morning mist, the reeds grow thick in backwater bays, and darkness comes early to the bluff lands and valleys cut deep by the upper Mississippi River.  


© 2023 by Steven J. Schmidt/West Channel Music (ASCAP)

Steven J. Schmidt on PBS's "Off 90" Program

Steven J. Schmidt speaks about his craft as a singer/songwriter/guitarist and performs original tunes for PBS's "Off 90" program.

Visit Steve's Media Page for More Video

Photo Gallery

    "OPEN MIC AMERICA Segments"

    Steven J. Schmidt on "OPEN MIC AMERICA" 3/3/2024!

      Sunday March 3rd, 2024 at 5:00 PM PST 


    On our Channel: 

    https://www.youtube.com/@openmicamerica


    Here is the lineup: 

    Dan & Faith - Charlestown, NH https://www.danandfaith.com

    TL Gayhart - Oakland, CA https://www.youtube.com/@terrygayhart3690/shorts 

    Jason Baker - Montpelier, VT http://jbakervt.com 

    Dave Fiebert - Wallingford, PA 

    Dave Irwin - Vancouver, WA https://soundcloud.com/user-394974888/sets/home-for-the-winter-21 

    Anne Sandstrom - Burlington, MA https://annesandstrom.bandcamp.com 

    Steven J Schmidt - Rochester, MN https://stevenjschmidt.net/

    Rebecca Parks - Hayward, CA https://www.rebeccaparksmusic.com


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    http://cash.app/$SJSchmidtSongwriter

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