ABOUT
Edmonton 'Music Hall of Fame' (2018)
Stephen Hardy Palmer - singing guitarist, touring performer. Now based in Gatineau Quebec, Steve began his career in Edmonton, Alberta, during the 1960's Folk and Psychedelic Rock era. His local bands routinely opened for many of the touring greats- Led Zeppelin, Cream, The Who etc and were local Light Show favourites. These days his solo acoustic shows are inspired by the great songwriter's and performers of that era - Gordon Lightfoot, Ian Tyson, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen... In the new millenium he has released five albums and, recently, a new EP.
"His passion to entertain is infectious!" - The O'Pasquia Times
"...spreading his musical joy wherever he goes!"
-Peter Pirquet, Full Moon Folk Club
“Nice Playin!” -Valdy
"Stephen Palmer played our club and definitely won over hearts and minds "- Peter Pirquet, Full Moon Folk Club, Edmonton AB
"With his fine original songs, solid picking and easy-going humour, Steve Palmer earned a strong encore from our very appreciative audience." -Vic Bell, Nickelodeon Music Club (Calgary AB)
“Stephen Palmer was a great addition to our Spring line-up, providing depth and variety that was much appreciated by our audience."Heartwood Folk Club, Athabasca AB
“Stephen's heartfelt lyrics, deep melodic vocals and deft guitar work charmed the hall" Mayne Island Folk Club, Mayne BC
“... Steve engages the audience easily and takes them with him on his musical journey. The results are beautiful.” - LWKossey, Chemainus BC
BIO
Raised on gospel, country and the blues, the old time influences on a young prairie picker with a love of Doc Watson made him a good fit for psychedelic folk-rock bands touring and playing support for most of the big name suspects during the ‘60s UK invasion. And then more steady dues paid as guitarist-for-hire in country bands working the rural Alberta bar scene. He started using his voice only in the ‘80s, when he’d picked some west-coast time to study music a bit more formally. But it wasn’t ‘til he returned home to care for his mother that he found personal respite and freedom in becoming a solo performer, and now he travels a troubadour circuit around BC, Alberta, and now Ontario. Fifty five years as a travelling musician is a lot of road, and Steve Palmer is still playing and still touring. Grown enough to sing about life and simple pleasures with all the unhurried authority of a quiet and simple folk-singing road-survivor.
-C Lazerini, Root Cellar Records
