Artist description In today’s world of hot country sound-alikes and cookie-cutter song writing, the Bum Steers stand apart from the herd. Their unique blend of country, blues & rock has gained them a loyal following both in the U.S. and worldwide. Their first video, “Why, Nona” was aired frequently on TNN and CMT and their debut CD received great response from radio stations around the country. They have made numerous appearances on Prime Time Country and WSM Radio & TV in Nashville, & were personally invited to play The Grand Ol’ Opry by Porter Wagoner after their music caught his ear. Their first CD is included in the publication “MusicHound Country -The Essential Album Guide” and “Independent Songwriter Web Magazine” has voted them one of the top 13 bands in the U.S.

Music Style Country, Alternative Country, Americana

Musical Influences Floyd Cramer, Randy Travis, Travis Tritt, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Buddy Holly, Link Wray, CCR, ZZ Top

Similar Artists Kentucky Headhunters, Steve Earle

Artist History Lead singer and songwriter Mark Fosson is well known on the L.A. country/rock scene as “The Hillbilly Genius”. His songs have appeared in the films “Gas, Food, Lodging”, “Mi Vida Loca”, “Painted Hero”, “Grace Of My Heart”, “Waterland” and “A Thing Called Love” as well as the hit TV series “Northern Exposure”. This rugged, lean & lanky six-footer from Kentucky exudes a genuine country charm and possesses a voice tailor-made for country radio.Edward Tree, the band’s Mississippi-born guitarist & songwriter is an in-demand L.A. session player & producer. His producing credits include two Corey Stevens albums, both of which made it to the top five on “Billboard’s” Blues chart and more than twenty independent records which have garnered great critical acclaim. As a guitarist he has toured/recorded with Rita Coolidge, Al Stewart, Juice Newton and rock legend Spencer Davis. He has had cuts by Steve Kolander, Lacy J. Dalton & Hank Jr’s. Bama Band.Taras Prodaniuk provides the bottom line on the Bum Steers. If the name sounds familiar, it is no wonder. Taras has recorded & toured with Dwight Yoakum for the past ten years. He is an integral member of producer Pete Anderson’s recording team and has contributed to projects for Michelle Shocked, Blue Rodeo and Anderson’s own two CDs as well as providing back-up for nearly every name act in country music. His aggressive style gives the Steers a powerful punch.Drummer Billy Block has been hailed “The King Of West Coast Country” by Kim Fowley in his article on Billy for “BAM Magazine”. His musical credentials include drumming for Jim Lauderdale, Lucinda Williams, Billy Joe Shaver and countless others, and he was musical director for the Emmy Award-winning Late Mr Pete Show. His much-acclaimed Western Beat Showcase is one of the most vital forums for songwriters in Nashville & The place to be heard.

Group Members Mark Fosson: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Harmonica; Edward Tree: Electric, Slide, Acoustic & Baritone Guitars, Vocals; Taras Prodaniuk, Bass, Vocals; Billy BLock: Drums, Vocals.

Instruments Guitars, Mandolin, Harmonica, Bass, & Drums

Press Reviews Somewhere between a country attitude and a rock n’ roll vitality you’ll find the Bum Steers. They don’t fall neatly into either category and it doesn’t appear they want to. Led by the solid vocals of Mark Fosson, The Bum Steers seem to be enjoying themselves on this 11-song CD. If your tastes lean more toward groups like The Kentucky Headhunters, This predominantly fun-spirited, often witty, variety-laced album is right up your alley. -- Music City News. Fresh...exciting...And an unbelievable response! We debuted it on our afternoon drive and had 35 calls just on the first spin!--Sean Marx/KRJC Radio Program & Music Director/The Bum Steers straddle the barbed wire fence between Nashville formulas and West Coastprogressiveness. The song writing is Music Row tight and built upon breezy, catchy themesthat would sound at home on country radio--Michael McCall/Nashville Scene/ From the second that laser beam hit the Bum Steers CD I was hooked! I couldn’t move on to the next album until I’d heard the whole thing. And I like every song...This album became an instant add for me.--Orin Friesen/KFDI Radio Music Director. The Bum Steers are a four-man group who make their impressive debut with thisself-produced set that leaps the boundaries between country, blues, rockabilly and honky-tonk,infusing everything with a real sense of fun...This is an album well worth seeking out--Adrian Cooke/Country Music International. I get a smile on my face when I put it on, tap my toes like crazy to Billy Blocks infectious beat and I can only hope that The Bum Steers keep on twangin’ their way towardsa major recording contract and country stardom.--Vintage Guitar. The record emerges as a barn-dancin’, honky-tonkin’ success.--Jim Cox/No Depression. The Bum Steers are one of those unsigned, undersung, loved-by-musicians L.A. supergroups of hot players bonded together by humor and ability in a unit that kicks the ass of their more famous contemporaries--Bliss/Pasadena Weekly. How do you boil the brilliance of NatKingColePorterWagonerSortOfThing downto one or two sentences? Well, you don’t, of course, but this hilarious attack on contemporarycountry song writing is every bit as riveting as the title suggests and needs to be heard--Chris Bolton/Country Music People. The Bum Steers have their own self-titled disc out on Western Beat Records andit is a blast!...”NatKingColePorterWagonerSortOfThing” is one of the best songsto come out of Nashville this year.--Rick Teverbaugh/Indianapolis Herald Bulletin. We were able to include five of the eleven cuts to play in our traditional format,but there is no reason why ALL of your songs should not be played on the morehot or rock country stations--Herb Bell/KRRM Radio. I expect great things from the Bum Steers. Hearing you for the first time has to rate somewhere near hearing my first Buck Owens record.--Keith Bilbrey/WSM Radio, WSM-TV, TNN & The Grand Ol’ Opry.

Location Los Angeles, CA - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).