Steven j. schmidt

 Steven J. Schmidt performs his 2023 "Tiny Desk Concert" submission entitled "The Witch of the Reeds", recorded in his West Channel Music Studio in Rochester, MN on February 21, 2023.  Now that Steven has retired from his day job as a talent buyer/presenter/arts administrator, he has time to focus on his own music-making.  "The Witch of the Reeds" 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 performs his original song "Movin' On Is All I Know" in his West Channel Music Studio, recorded on   

February 23, 2023.  Now that Steven has retired from his day job as a talent buyer/presenter/arts administrator, he has time to focus on his own music-making.  Steven will periodically post video of his work... some old songs, some songs refreshed and rewritten, and some brand new songs.  

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

 Steven J. Schmidt performs an updated version of his original song "French Slough" in his West Channel Music Studio, recorded on February 20, 2023.  "French Slough" was inspired by the Mississippi River and the Coulee/Driftless Region of West Central Wisconsin where he spends much of his time during the late-spring, summer, and early-fall writing new material.  

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

Steve performs  a solo version his original song entitled "Hans Painted With Flowers" as part of the "Live from Med City" program presented by Rochester Civic Music/Riverside Concerts.  This song tells the true story of how Steve's great grandfather immigrated to the United States. 

Recorded at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, MN 

on June 17, 2020.

Music and Lyrics © Steven J. Schmidt/West Channel Music (ASCAP)

Steve performs "The Windmill 80," a song inspired by the Colvin family homestead in Olmsted County, MN -- a farm that has been worked by the same family for five generations.  

Recorded at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, MN 

on June 17, 2020.

Music and Lyrics © Steven J. Schmidt/West Channel Music (ASCAP)

Steve performs "The Turnaround," a tender song about 

loss and new love.  

Recorded at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, MN 

on June 17, 2020

Music and Lyrics © Steven J. Schmidt/West Channel Music (ASCAP)

Steve performs "Time Goes So Slowly," a gentle lullaby in 3/4 time he wrote for his wife, Elizabeth.  

Recorded at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, MN 

on June 17, 2020.

Music and Lyrics ©  Steven J. Schmidt/West Channel Music (ASCAP)

Steve performs "French Slough," inspired by two bodies of water important to him, the Mississippi River and French Slough, the bluff land of Southeastern Minnesota, and the Driftless/Coulee Region of Western Wisconsin.

Recorded at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, MN 

on June 17, 2020.

Music and Lyrics © Steven J. Schmidt/West Channel Music (ASCAP)

A solo version of his song, "I'm Gonna Leave the City"

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

A live full band arrangement of his song, "For All My Life"

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

A solo version of Steve's tender love song, 

"You Don't Know Who I Am"

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

 Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Steven J. Schmidt performs his original song "The Road" with his band during his "The Road" CD Release Party.  

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