"I'm from a world that's never sleeping
But every dream that I've been keeping
Has come to lead me here
Now I'm a volunteer"

Steve Schultz - songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, low-rent Billy Joel, and self-described Yankee in the South - is no stranger to being the odd man out. Whether it's falling in love with the music of his parents' generation, being a keyboard player in guitar town, or being a born-and-bred New Yorker living in Nashville, Steve has always followed his own compass when it comes to his work. After almost 10 years in the greater New York music scene that included countless shows, two records, and a stint fronting an award-winning cover band, he knew it was time for a change. Time for something more.

Following a week-long visit in the spring of 2014, Steve moved to Nashville with no contacts, no job, a van full of equipment, and one week booked at an Airbnb to figure it out. Within a year, he found himself performing on stage at the Bluebird Cafe, recording at famed Blackbird Studios, and having his music mixed by legendary engineer Bob Clearmountain (Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Bon Jovi) - but that's a story for another time. Steve also landed gigs playing sideman for touring and local artists, but mostly, he dove head-first into the Nashville songwriting scene. He took his love for music first ignited by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Ben Folds, Paul Simon, and others, and grew it through the discovery of songwriters and performers he didn't even know existed before moving to Tennessee just a few short months earlier.

In 2021, Steve decided it was time to focus on why he left New York in the first place and released his first solo Nashville-based project, Small Batch, Vol. 1. He followed that with the 2023 single "Yankee in the South," which brings to life what it's like to be a New York musician living in Tennessee. Both projects were self-produced, mixed by Joe Costa (Ben Folds, Sara Bareilles), and highlight Steve's ability to create catchy, personal neo mellow piano rock. Whether in the studio or on a stage, Steve pours his heart and soul into the songs he writes, each of which is a labor of love. 

With new songs coming in 2025, Steve's next EP, Small Batch, Vol. 2, is expected to be completed in 2026.

Dallas Songwriters Association Song Contest
-2013 2-time Semifinalist ("Shadow" & "The Hands of Angels")

Hudson Valley Magazine's "Best of Hudson Valley"
-2013 Best Local Musician (In The Pocket)

New York Songwriters Circle
-2013 October Showcase Performer
-2014 August Showcase Performer

New York Songwriters Collective
-2013 July Showcase Featured Performer

Nashville Songwriters Association
-2018 January "Ones To Watch"
-2016 February "Ones To Watch"
-2016 April "Ones To Watch"

SongDoor International Songwriting Competition
-2013 3-time Honorable Mention ("Shadow," "Over The Edge,"
"Dream Me In Your Arms")

Songwriters Hall of Fame
-2010 Spring Writers Workshop Participant

West Cost Songwriters International Song Contest
-2013 Honorable Mention ("Shadow")

Williamsburg Live Songwriting Competition
-2008 Second Round Finalist ("Over The Edge")