Bill Britt, of Gypsum, Colorado, was reared on western music. His great uncle, Ardel Cadwillider was with the original Sons of the Pioneers before they became famous. But according to Bill's mother, the band didn't get too many engagements at that time. "Ardel had to quit because he was hungry".

The homespun tunes of Hank Snow and Tex Ritter were constant Britt Clan companions during Bill's childhood days in Denver. But when he turned fifteen, he took a brief hiatus from music. Bill recalls, "I guess you could say that girls and cars took up most of my time back then". He did learn how to play the guitar from a high school friend, but eventually gave it up again ... this time for girls and Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Two years ago, Dave and Julee Kramer persuaded Bill to join their church worship team. "Dave said he needed a guitar player and he knew that I had played in the past". It was just the musical challenge he needed. His wife, Gail, who is also a musician comments, "Bill plays his guitar constantly. He has purchased one of Steve's Storm King Guitars, called "The Mountain Rose". He also bought a banjo and is learning to play that. He truly has bluegrass music in his blood"

When Steve convinced Bill to sign up for the 2003 Rockygrass Academy, Bill never looked back. "It was the most memorable week of my life", he says. All the hard work and effort has paid off, as Bill happily strums along to some of his favorite old and new songs with Bluegrace Mountain Band.

"I really enjoy this music. I grew up with old time country music and bluegrass. It's in my roots and part of my heritage". 

Two years ago, with a better mandolin in tow, Steve joined the church "gospelgrass" worship team of Dave and Julee Kramer and Bill Britt.

After attending the 1997 Rockygrass Academy for the first time, Steve's interest in the restoration of guitars and mandolins was expanded to the construction of new instruments. He built his first mandolin at Rockygrass under the tutelage of Micheal Homick (Shanti Guitars). Seven years later Steve stated his own company, Storm King Mandolin Works, where he is now building F & A style mandolins and custom made Dreadnaught guitars. Word is spreading fast among musicians who are clamoring to purchase such quality instruments.

Among Bluegrace Mountain Band fans, perhaps Steve's greatest claim to fame is his vocal performance Carter Stanley's "Man of Constant Sorrow". His raspy rendition is likened to Dan Tyminski's version in "Oh Brother Where Art Thou?".

When Steve isn't making a new instrument or performing with Bluegrace Mountain Band, you'll likely find him at his day gig for the past twenty-plus years; teaching skiing and snowboarding for Vail Resorts, or hanging out at home with his beautiful wife and teenage daughters.

"Bluegrass music speaks to my soul more than any other music".