Steve Wariner

Singer/songwriter/storyteller and multi-instrumentalist, Steve Wariner, is a troubadour in the music industry and continues to inspire artists today. More than 20 albums and five decades into his career, Wariner has become a modern-day multi-genre icon, earning 14 No. 1 hits , over 30 Top 10 singles , three RIAA-certified Gold albums, the Minnie Pearl Humanitarian Award, four GRAMMY Awards, four CMA Awards, three ACM Awards, two TNN/Music City News Awards, a Christian Country Music Association Award , a CMA Triple Play Award , 17 BMI Million-Air Awards , and most recently, Country Radio Broadcasters bestowed Wariner as the recipient of the 2018 CRB Artist Career Achievement Award . In October 2019, he’ll be inducted into the prestigious Musicians Hall of Fame, in October 2022 he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and throughout his illustrious career, has been inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, the National Thumbpickers Hall of Fame, the Music City Walk of Fame, and is one of only five guitar players in the world to be given the "Certified Guitar Player" (CGP) award by Chet Atkins. As an award-winning songwriter, he has composed songs for Clint Black (“Nothin’ But the Taillights”), Bryan White (“One Small Miracle”), Keith Urban (“Where the Blacktop Ends”), as well as the three week No. 1 smash, “Longneck Bottle,” by Country Music Hall of Fame member Garth Brooks. Wariner has also penned songs for Country Music Hall of Fame members Alabama, Kenny Rogers, The Statler Brothers, Conway Twitty, Bill Anderson and Don Williams ; pop music icon Peter Tork (of The Monkees); R&B singer Ruben Studdard ; Bluegrass music’s Del McCoury Band and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver; Rockabilly/Country hitmaker Bob Luman and many more. Today, he continues to captivate audiences with his sensational voice and guitar prowess and is recognized through his portfolio of work spanning Country, Bluegrass, Rock, Jazz and Pop. Born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1954, the Noblesville, Indiana native got his start in music at the tender age of 10 playing bass guitar. A few years later, he played drums in his father’s band. One night while performing in an Indianapolis club, Country Music Hall of Fame member, Dottie West, happened to be there and spotted the talented teenager. West convinced the 17-year-old to make the bold move from Indiana to Music City to join her band. Upon accepting the offer, Wariner played bass for three years with her and eventually signed to Dottie’s publishing company as a songwriter. After he left Dottie’s organization, Wariner toured and recorded with Grand Ole Opry star Bob Luman. In the 70’s, Wariner’s life and career forever changed when he connected with his idol and guitar extraordinaire Chet Atkins through guitar virtuoso Paul Yandell. Atkins signed him to his first recording contract at RCA Records in 1977 and eventually hired Wariner to play bass in his band. His first single, “I’m Already Taken,” peaked at No. 63 on the Country charts and was later re-recorded by Country icon Conway Twitty. More than 20 years later, Wariner recorded “I’m Already Taken” again in 1999 and took it all the way to the Top 5 on Billboard. Wariner’s first Top 40 hit was “Your Memory,” which was released in 1980 and peaked at No. 7, which paved the way for two more Top 10 hits, including “By Now” and his first No. 1 “All Roads Lead to You,” which was released in 1981. While on the rise, Wariner left RCA in 1984 and signed with MCA Records, the label that would catapult him to achieve some of his biggest hits spanning into the 90s, including “What I Didn’t Do,” “Heart Trouble,” “Some Fools Never Learn,” “The Weekend,” and “Life’s Highway.” His star began to shine brighter as his music made its way into television. In 1986, he recorded the theme song for ABC’s Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning TV sitcom, “Who’s The Boss?” Wariner moved over to Arista Records in 1991 where he released his album I Am Ready. Sh