Steve Wood is an award-winning composer, musician, singer, songwriter and an amazingly talented nice guy. He has been writing and performing since his teens and worked with legends like Paul McCartney and Sting. His latest album, Junk Drawer, is a collection of Steve’s favorite songs. Included are collaborations with his favorite collaborator, his wife, Beth Fitchet Wood.
Recently KC Café Radio Music Director, Kathy Forste had the wonderful opportunity to spend some time chatting with Steve via Zoom. They discussed how he got started playing music in the 1960’s, how this led to his composing music for over 25 IMAX films, which then led to working with Kenny Loggins and the Pointer Sisters. Kathy and Steve also discussed the meaning behind some of the songs on Junk Drawer and why they are so important to him as a songwriter.
Joy Zimmerman was just 5 years old when she first became acquainted with music. Her mother played piano and her grandmother was an organist. Mom thought Joy would also take a liking to the piano, however it was the violin that piqued her interest. There was something pure in the sound of the violin, a sound that would lure her in to a fascinating musical world.
Joy grew up enjoying a very diverse exposure to music. Thanks to St. Louis rock radio, she became influenced by the likes of Carol King, James Taylor, Earth, Wind and Fire, The Beatles, Sting, and Simon and Garfunkel.
Joy continued to play violin through her college years, performing in churches, for weddings and for funerals. With all the love that she had for the violin, however, there never seemed to be a real connection between music and career. She pursued studies for, and eventually a career in social work.
Her interest in music would again become piqued when her son began taking guitar lessons. She became so intrigued that she asked if she could also begin taking lessons. As she became better at learning chords, she discovered her own melodies springing forth from the strings. She would go on to join a Folk trio that allowed her to experiment between the violin and her newfound guitar interest. She would go on to challenge herself with songwriting, and found that it came to her quite naturally. From that fortunate discovery, Joy went on to release 4 albums, the latest of which is titled Say My Name.
Recently KC Cafe Radio Music Director Kathy Forste talked with Joy about her journey of musical discovery, and the valuable lessons she has learned along the way. She also talks about recording her latest album, Say My Name, and the decision to record this one in Kansas City. And we hear her reaction to having received an Honorable Mention award from American Songwriter Magazine for her song, “Messy Girl.”
