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Steve is now playing dobro, guitar and singing with the San Diego based bluegrass band, "HIGHWAY 76". The band plays traditional and contemporary bluegrass and includes Chris Beucler on banjo and vocals, Dan Sankey on mandolin, fiddle and vocals and Mark Windrum on bass and vocals. They perform at Bluegrass Festivals and concerts in the southwest and are one of the best regional bands in the area. Steve has performed with bluegrass greats Mac Wiseman and Peter Rowan on several occasions and has appeared at festivals and concerts which included Del McCoury, The Lonesome River Band, Rhonda Vincent, The Seldom Scene, Ralph Stanley, Bill Monroe, and the New Grass Revival, among others. He also plays guitar, five string banjo, pedal steel guitar, bass and mandolin which he has used for both live performances and recording sessions as a studio musician. Until his recent move to San Diego, California, he performed on dobro and lead vocals with his own bluegrass band, “Steve Toth & Ripping River” at Bluegrass Festivals and Concerts in the New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey area. The band played a mix of traditional, contemporary and original bluegrass music and was recognized as one of the top regional groups in the area.
His
first solo project titled "Sliding Down The Road"
received an outstanding response from DJ's, programmers,
critics and listeners throughout the world. The project contains both vocals and instrumentals including 5
original tunes by Steve. In addition to Steve on dobro and lead
vocals, the album features: Chris Jones on guitar and vocals, Jay
Ungar on Fiddle, Barry Mitterhoff on mandolin, Bob Mavian on banjo
and vocals, Tara Rickart on bass and vocals, and Dave Snell on
guitar. Radio airplay has been confirmed on over 450 stations in the
U.S.A.(including Nashville!!), Canada, and Worldwide including
England, Ireland, Belgium, France, Italy, The Netherlands,
Switzerland, Australia, Latvia, New Zealand, Austria and Estonia.
He is probably best known as the author of the popular instruction book "Dobro Techniques For Bluegrass And Country Music" published by Centerstream Publishing and distributed worldwide by Hal Leonard Publishing. Over 10,000 copies of the book have been distributed throughout the world since its original publication. The book received an excellent review in the NOV./DEC. 1994 Issue of Bluegrass Now Magazine which said "The book is an excellent choice for a complete novice or for someone who already has a basic knowledge of the Dobro...Steve Toth is a seasoned player and teacher". And Guitar Player Magazine called the book "An excellent text for beginning dobro players". He has written two additional books, “Dobro Classics Plus”, a tune book of popular bluegrass instrumentals with intermediate to advanced arrangements and, “Dobro Christmas”, a book of Christmas standards with simplified arrangements. Steve's recording career started with a single recorded with his brother Ron on ABC Paramount Records, a rockabilly record on which he played back up and lead guitar. He and Ron also performed as a bluegrass duo, The Toth Brothers, with Ron on guitar and Steve on five string banjo. After a period of time performing in country bands on lead guitar and pedal steel, Steve returned almost exclusively to bluegrass and acoustic music where his interest continues to the present time. He also enjoys singing and performing Contemporary Christian Music and has been the leader of his church music group for over 20 years.
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Here are some quotes from the Press and Music Industry around the world about Steve and his album "Sliding Down The Road":
"Steve Toth is one of those unsung masters of the dobro...Few can match his abilities sliding about on the dobro" Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine
"Excellent Dobro" Wayne Bledsoe - KUMR - Rolla, Missouri and Bluegrass Now Magazine
"Obviously, a dobro virtuoso!" Larry Klein - South Carolina Public Radio - Columbia, S.C.
"Love it! He knows how to play!" Laurie Mills - CBC - Calgary, Alberta - Canada
"Exciting bluegrass performance' is an understatement. This is powerful." Steve Winters - WSHU - Fairfield, Connecticut
"One of the finest and fastest dobro players I ever heard. A very accomplished and skilled musician with the ability to make some fine and very special musical arrangements, and most of all compose some great music." Ted Clark - JRRI RADIO - Swalmen, The Netherlands
"Great Pickin'!" Chuck Wilson - CWGC - Waterford, Ireland