By Staff
PATIENT TEACHER – Steve Watson started teaching guitar lessons at Mississippi Music Inc. 27 years ago. He says his approach to teaching involves both structure and flexibility. Photo by Carisa McCain/The Meridian Star
By Elizabeth Hall / special to The Star
Sept. 22, 2002
Steve Watson has done a lot of traveling. From small-scale tours with road bands, to a four-month stint with Wayne Newton's orchestra, he has covered most of the United States, and even some of Canada.
Yet, something always seems to bring him back to his native Meridian.
This explains the title of his debut CD, "Comfort Zone," due for release in mid-December.
Watson has been a popular live guitarist for many years, especially on the club/restaurant circuit appearing frequently at local venues like D.T. Grinder's, Northwood Country Club and the former Chesterfield's.
More recently, Watson has become a regular musician at the new Golden Moon Hotel &Casino in Philadelphia.
Between performing nightly at Golden Moon, and teaching daily at Mississippi Music, Watson is a busy man, but content.
Watson's love is jazz. He was introduced to the genre when he moved to Florida at age 18.
In the early 1980s, Watson's passion took him all the way to California, where he studied with Ted Green and Ron Eschtee.
Watson's own approach to teaching involves both structure and flexibility.
In addition to performing and teaching, Watson writes his own songs six of which appear on "Comfort Zone."
Recorded live, Comfort Zone also features blues-based keyboardist Carty McMullen, who has teamed with Watson for several years.
Even in his "comfort zone," Watson is full of artistic energy.