Steve Seskin: Biography

"An exceptional talent, ...live performances are Seskin’s strong point. Totally relaxed and spontaneous onstage, he engages in a lot of good-natured and often hilarious patter that assures the audience of a good time to go with the good music."

– The San Francisco Bay Guardian

"Seskin has the gift of song, ...his voice has a natural lilt that can’t be learned. The combination of musicianship and repertoire make for a rich and satisfying musical experience."

– Joel Selvin,
The San Francisco Chronicle

Steve Seskin is a successful songwriter who has written seven number one songs, including Grammy-nominated “Grown Men Don’t Cry,” recorded by Tim McGraw, and “Don’t Laugh at Me,” winner of NSAI Song of the Year and Music Row Magazine Song of the Year in 1999 as recorded by Mark Wills. His other #1 hits are “No Doubt About It” and “For a Change,” both recorded by Neal McCoy, “No Man’s Land” and “If You’ve Got Love,” both recorded by John Michael Montgomery, and “Daddy’s Money,” recorded by Ricochet. Other chart toppers include “I Think About You,” recorded by Colin Raye, and “All I Need To Know,” recorded by Kenny Chesney. The video for Raye’s “I Think About You” single was named the Academy of Country Music’s Video of the Year in 1997, and the song and video were also given an award by the Tennessee Task Force Against Domestic Violence. Recent recordings of his songs include “Pictures,” by John Michael Montgomery, “We Shook Hands,” by Tebey, and “I’ll Always Be There For You,” by Brian McComas.

While Steve is best known for writing hits, he is also a successful performer and recording artist. He is currently touring in support of his latest CD, Steve Seskin "Live". This is his 17th recording released on his own record label.

“Don’t Laugh at Me” was recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary and became the impetus for the Operation Respect/Don’t Laugh at Me project, a curriculum designed to teach tolerance in schools. This program has already been implemented in more than 20,000 schools across the country. Steve now enjoys performing at school assemblies in support of this program. The song is now available as a children’s book, Don’t Laugh At Me, which was featured on PBS’s Reading Rainbow in September 2002.

Steve is also an active keynote speaker and songwriting teacher for the West Coast Songwriters Association, the Nashville Songwriters Association International, the Swannanoa Gathering, and the Song School at Rocky Mountain Folks Festival.

Steve spends time in Nashville writing for Larga Vista Music and pitching his songs, while maintaining an active performing career both back home in Northern California and at festivals and acoustic venues throughout the United States and Canada. He has been a featured performer at the Kerrville Folk Festival, the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, the Vancouver Folk Festival, and the Napa Valley Music Festival.

Seven #1 songs—Grammy-Nominated “Grown Men Don’t Cry,” (Tim McGraw), “Don’t Laugh at Me,” NSAI Song of the Year and 1999 Music Row Magazine Song of the Year (Mark Wills.)

Headlined Kerrville Folk Festival, Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, Vancouver Folk Festival, and Napa Valley Music Festival.

Keynote speaker at regional and national events such as the TAXI Road Rally and National Reading Styles Institute.

West Coast Songwriters Association, Nashville Songwriters Association International, Swannanoa Gathering, and Song School at Rocky Mountain Folk Festival.

Presented assembly programs nationally including Operation Respect/Don’t Laugh at Me, a character education project.

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