Bio ~ Steven Himes –
Keyboards / Vocals:

Nicknamed “The Hitman” by former band mates because of his hard-grooving keyboard chops, this classically trained musician spent much of the early and mid-nineties wowing blues fans across the Midwest with his natural affinity and talent for Blues, Funk, R&B and Jazz.  Steve made the first of three appearances at the famed W.C. Handy Blues Festival in Henderson, Kentucky while performing with the Part-Time Blues Band, a Henderson, Kentucky-based act which opened for celebrated Bluesman Lonnie Brooks and son, Ronnie Brooks.  Upon hooking up with blues guitarist Tommy Stillwell in Tommy Stillwell’s Serious Business, Blues became a full-time occupation.  TSSB turned up the heat on the W.C. Handy Blues Festival stage two more times in subsequent years, opening for artists like B.B. King, Leon Redbone and Koko Taylor.

Touring the southern United States, TSSB rocked Blues houses and festival stages in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri and Mississippi.  Performing at venues like The Black Diamond on legendary Beale Street in Memphis, they were occasionally joined on stage by Blues legends such as James Cotton and Little Jimmy King, son of the late Blues legend, Albert King.  During their second visit to Memphis, TSSB was invited to autograph a drumhead that would be permanently displayed on the ceiling of the world-reknown Tater Red’s Voodoo Shoppe.

In 1996, Tommy Stillwell’s Serious Business signed with Rollin’ & Tumblin’ Records, a Louisville, Kentucky-based record label. Their first release, the critically acclaimed album, Long and Lonesome Road was released that same year.

Steve left TSSB shortly after the CD’s release, relocating to Michigan with wife, Mary Beth, and daughter, Josie; a move he describes as “totally family inspired.”

“I wanted to raise my daughter and any future children closer to family.  I wanted (Josie) to know her aunts, uncles and cousins.”

Having established a career as eCommerce Analyst for a major Flint-based banking corporation, “The Hitman” ended his self-imposed two-year band hiatus to join with guitarist, Rusty Wright and vocalist, Laurie LaCross-Wright in forming AFAB Boogie & Blues Company in December 1998.

In 2004 AFAB took their talents to the next level with the evolution of a new power blues group, simply named Rusty Wright Blues. Initially, the group consisted of the core of AFAB, plus the addition of a full-time bass guitarist and drummer. Once auditions wrapped, RWB was ready to get into the rehearsal studio and begin work on their new live show. (It wasn't until late 2006 that RWB settled on its current line-up, with the addition of drummer Dan Mata, bassist Randy McEntire, and sax players—and sons of Dan—Brandon and Brent Mata.)

It was only a couple of weeks into production when Steve made a tough decision—to step out of RWB and focus on his web & graphic design and family. Gone but not forgotten, Steve rejoined Rusty in the studio, contributing to RWB's debut CD, Ain't No Good Life . He contributed to perform on the majority of the tracks on the CD, along with former Godsmack drummer, Tommy Stewart. It didn't take long after the release of Ain't No Good Life, for Steve to step back into RWB, hitting soundstages at local venues and festival stages in Kalamazoo, Detroit, Lapeer and Davison, just to name a few.

In February 2007 Steve and the band took a trip to Memphis, TN to perform their brand of the Blues on an international stage. RWB won the right to represent the Detroit Blues Society at the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge. RWB hit Beale Street, along with 152 other blues acts from all over the globe, and performed at the New Daisy Theatre. RWB was the only group of the ten groups playing there that night to receive a standing ovation from an enthusiastic crowd on both nights!

In late April 2007, Steve ended his journey with Rusty Wright Blues, publicly announcing his departure from the group. Rusty Wright issued the following statement:

“The life of a professional touring musician is extremely difficult and it's especially difficult for a father who is helping raise two young children at home. We respect Steve's decision to focus on his family and wish him well in his future endeavors. His talent and contributions are greatly appreciated.”

Steve commented candidly, “The fact of the matter is, none of us are getting any younger, and my kids will be grown up and out of the house before I blink my eyes again! It was time to pull back and re-assess the situation. The question that was before me was, 'Whose dream am I chasing here?  Do I share in the dream?  Or am I putting way too much stock in something that probably will never materialize into a national act?' After some serious soul-searching, I decided [for me] that fame and fortune was not going to be realized by continuing on in RWB.  Family must come first!”

In late 2008, Steve decided that a year on hiatus was enough for him. Although he has no plans to commit to a full-time position in any band, besides The Salvation Army Flint Citadel Band, he remains close to his former RWB compadres, and has plans to do some side performances, off and on throughout the coming months. Steve commented, "Although I'll never share a stage with Rusty or Laurie again, I would be honored to join my brothers in the Blues who shared that stage with me as the rhythm section. Those of us who were in the rhythm section made it even easier for Rusty and Laurie to shine." Steve further commented, with a wink and a smile, "Personally, I think Rusty would go much farther in his musical career if he would just leave the 'little lady' back in the kitchen where she belongs. He has such unspeakable talent. I can only imagine where he'd be right now without 'the ol' ball n' chain' keeping him pinned down."

Steve currently resides in Flint, Michigan with his wife, 12 year-old daughter, Josie, and 5 year-old son, Colin. He is currently CIO (chief Information Officer) for a Flint-based title insurance company. He also does freelance work as a web designer and graphic artist.