14 � SOUTHERN INSPIRED MAGAZINE

SPOTLIGHT � THINKING KID’S MUSICIAN

Stephen Scott Lee?

The Thinking Kid’s MusicianWhat Will You Do Tomorrow,

WHEN WHITNEY HOUSTON SANG, “THE CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE,” STEVE LEE was listening. Steve loves Whitney. The Nashville-based musician has devoted himself to building a wondrous universe for kids with his gift for inspired songwriting at the center, a gift he wants to share with the world. And you know it’s coming from the heart because sharing is caring. In fact, Steve has a song about that. His emerging career is like a bite of a multi-layered birthday cake—a seemingly simple and blithe taste of joyful celebration. But after acknowledging the vigilant consideration, time, and labor invested into the end product, you realize that the wacky world of Steve Lee isn’t child’s play, though he does it all for the kids. Actually, after years of tickling Nashville’s music scene with his unique blend of humor and storytelling, it would be unfair to deny Steve the due spoils of his tireless efforts. He has charily crafted every angle of his work, assembling an impressive collective of musicians and other artists to back him in his quest to rock nightclubs and minivans alike. So we’ll say he does it mostly for the kids.

Steve has already released two records, one in 2006 and another in 2009, the former being Lee’s dazzling kids’ music debut, What Did You Do Today, Stephen Scott Lee? He’s finishing up a third album called Steve Lee’s Greatest Animal

Photo by Ryan Booth

BY KEVIN ROWLETT

SOUTHERNINSPIREDMAGAZINE.COM � 15

Photo by Neil Visel

Hits and is writing and recording a fourth. Currently planning a tour, Lee is ardent about delivering a spectacular live show that’s visually striking and jaw-droppingly fun. Combine all of that with aims to write and host a variety/talk show for kids and produce other artists’ music, and it’s evident that Lee’s hunger for success ranks highly among Nashville’s young, creative community, if not on a different scale altogether. It is this ubiquitous ambition to “make it big” in Music City that Lee embraces, though his passion to create kids’ music, and the originality and imagination with which he does, distinguishes him from his peers without inviting much competition. “People around here don’t feel intimidated by a kids’ singer,” Steve jokes. “It actually has the complete opposite effect. Other musicians want to be a part of it. Folks seem to really love singing songs about whales, unicorns, and traffic safety.”

Born and raised in Arkansas, Lee moved to Nashville in 2002 to study music business at Belmont University. He played guitar but had little songwriting experience until he rapidly developed a love for writing while tour managing Colorado cult band The Samples. Mining inspiration from cheerful places, like his fascination with animals, Lee demonstrates silliness as a valid expression while preserving the vitality of the lessons in his songs. He credits his affinity for kids’ music to his inner-child: “It’s natural for me to write with a kid’s imagination,” he says. “I write happy songs. I am in the constant pursuit of writing the happiest record of all time.”

But don’t be fooled. For all its happiness, Lee’s music is textural and engaging, loaded with fetching hooks, soaring melodies, and sharp lyricism. His sound is a pop-folk hurricane with Steve firmly holding the reigns in the eye, letting his guitar and vocals drive the tune forward. Borrowing elements from soul, disco, R&B, et almost everything, Steve and band create an eclectic cocktail that is skillfully composed and bursting with personality. The professional musicianship that shapes his style carts Lee into an almost sub-genre of “good” children’s music, a platform that established acts like They Might Be Giants and Jack Johnson have scaled, but from where very few launch. Injecting plenty of goofs and charm into What Did You Do Today, Stephen Scott Lee?, an album that charts a day in the life of Stephen, Steve’s kid-aged alter-ego, and features tracks like “Responsibility Song,” “Green Means Go,” and “Fill’em with Kindness (Bullies Song),” Lee involved some of Nashville’s top talent (Gabe Dixon Band, Kyle Andrews, Griffin House, Space Capone, American Bang) to produce an infectious offering that speaks

to children and their parents. Ah, yes, striking that balance is key. Designing a kid-centric record full of simple ideas and playful skits, Lee fluently avoids dumbing down the music so that both children and adults can enjoy the album on different levels.

That’s not to say that adults can’t take plenty away from the album’s lyrical content as well. Just because we grown-ups can name the parts of a bus and their functions doesn’t mean we wouldn’t benefit from a refresher course on some of life’s most straightforward concepts, like controlling your temper, helping others, and being yourself—Lee’s chief message to his listeners. “Kids should know that it’s okay to be weird and ridiculous, if that’s who you are,” he says. “Love the things that make you unique.” There’s a similar message in “Grab a Balloon,” an around-the-world ballad in which young Stephen realizes “human is the only true race.” Steve sings: Take a look / Life is your book / It’s being written as we speak / But you should know / No matter where you go / Your heart is your home. There are many moments of sincerity on What Did You Do Today that transcend the album’s bubbly exterior,

Steve’s guitar exudes joy with illustrations by artist Leah Tumerman. Visit leahtumerman.com for more bright looks.

strumming an honest note that’s at the heart of Lee’s mission.

And what is that mission? “To be the biggest kids’ music artist of all time,” says Steve. How will he do it? By going straight to the source. As he plans his next tour, Lee is looking to book schools, churches, and community centers anywhere and everywhere, taking his live show to the tikes who can’t make it out to rock venues on school nights. It’s an ambitious undertaking to say the least, especially after considering the unpredictability of elementary audiences. “The only time I get nervous on stage is when I perform for children,” Steve admits. “I know if I’m not ‘on’ from the get-go, it is very apparent, and the kids will let you know very quickly. At least adults will be cordial and clap. But when the kids are into it and having fun, there is no better audience.”

Though Steve isn’t an educational specialist, he hopes to work closely with educators to establish a relationship with the school systems and churches of Middle Tennessee and beyond. This alliance could provide economical entertainment for learning centers, an interactive experience for the students, and support for Steve and the local artists attached to him. Constantly hunting new recruits for his cause, Lee wants actors, costumers, investors, and anyone else interested in his

pursuit to give happiness. “My ultimate goal is to create a live show that no one forgets,” he explains. “Something so incredibly happy and filled with love and ridiculousness that people can’t help but share with others. Ideally, in the recollection of these shows, both kids and parents will laugh and spread the joy to their friends and family.”

Steve and other wholesome, wholehearted performers of his ilk are blazing their own trails in a saturated market. Soon, he will be unfurling his cheery sail, bringing rock back to the schoolhouse and lighthearted good times to the rest of us. Though he has many, many more hours of hard work ahead of him, Steve is dedicated to having his cake and eating it, too. Lucky for us, he knows how to share.

Download six free tracks from What Did You Do Today, Stephen Scott Lee? at www.noisetrade.com/stevelee, or find the full album on iTunes. Visit Steve at www.myspace.

com/stevelee.

To book Steve, contact Jeremy at forwardmotionentertainment.com or contact him directly at sleevelee@gmail.com.

16 � SOUTHERN INSPIRED MAGAZINE

Photo by Neil Visel

SPOTLIGHT � THINKING KID’S MUSICIAN

“It’s natural for me to write with a kid’s imagination. I write happy songs. I am in the constant pursuit of writing the happiest record of all time.” - Steve Lee