I envy the ones who learn young. Their ease with an instrument is sublime. Steve Grout was born with a guitar in his hands, and hasn’t stopped playing since. Those close to him confirm that he sleeps with his Larrive acoustic, and that he dreams in chord progressions.

When I met Steve he was playing with a band called Maker. That was eighteen years ago. They played mostly original music. Rehearsing originals is hard work, and after rehearsals, to relax, the band would play cover songs. Out would come 'The Bible', a green three ring binder full of lead sheets for cover songs that Steve had figured out from listening to records, back in the days before Internet.

'The Bible' has long since been rendered obsolete. Steve's evolving musicality took over. Now his ears are connected directly to his hands. If Steve has heard it he can play it. He plays weddings and parties, a regular weekend gig in a Kitsilano bar with his duo, and often assembles a band to suit a certain occasion. Steve plays at work with his high school students and at church with the choir. He regularly co-produces, performs and records with other artists and school groups, always happy to help other people get their music heard.

However, like many musicians, Steve has always held a special reverence for original music. Not to take away from the joyful reminiscent fun of rock standards, but there is something very exciting about being a part of a brand new song. Over the years, Steve never strayed from that ideal. Maker evolved into an all originals acoustic rock outfit called Waterdance, which later morphed into the eclectic contemporary unit known as Perry's Garage. Historically, Steve was a George Harrison kind of contributor to these bands, occasionally penning an original gem, but mostly content to add tasty guitar licks and backing vocals to the songs other band members were writing. No longer. With 'Way to the Ground', Steve has arrived as a songwriter.

By Perry Buchan; musician, singer/song writer, teacher and father