Music INSIGHT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9f1yYhhM-A
born in Alabama and a student of both
Gadsden State and Auburn, he earned his
degree in Wildlife Science and took off on
the road, working as near as Mississippi
and far off into Long Island, played shows
in Alaska and North Carolina before crashing on the couch of Colorado bluegrass
band Grass It Up. He paid his rent to the
band by writing them songs they would
later cut, like Alabama Tory and Drinkin’ In
the Sunlight Again, two songs Hartsfield
still plays locally.
"They did a bangup job with [Alabama
Tory]", said Hartsfield, who enjoys songwriting for others as much as for himself.
"Every song is a baby, give it to somebody
else and let them raise it."
He’s raised those kids with several bands,
from 18 Strings and 30 Gallon Still to the
self-titled Stephen Hartsfield Duo with
banjo player Corey Martin and the Stephen Hartsfield Band, featuring a revolving set of local players. Each unit brings its
own set of influences to the table; Hartsfield cites Clapton and Mark Knopfler as
influences, and says that he most often listens to bands like the Avett Brothers, Jason
Isbell and Zac Brown Band. His bandmates
bring him new ideas, he says, giving him
a broader set of tools with which to write.
He’s not afraid to be starkly honest about
that, either.
October 2015
INSIGHT