Steve Burns was born in St. Louis, Missouri, USA on May 30, 1949 to a working class family, whose piano teaching mom, Betty, made music a part of everyday life. Everyone played piano and one or more stringed instruments in school ensembles and orchestras. The entire family also sang together at every opportunity, harmonizing to everything from holiday songs and popular standards to grandma's favorite, the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Initially classically trained on Bach, Mozart and Brahms, it was the discovery of the boogie woogie piano style that sparked Steve's imagination at age 13. During his early teen years, the family home became a mecca for talented local blues and jazz artists such as The Joe Buckner Trio, Mississippi Red and Dave Harris, who would often jam deep into the night. Soon Steve was sitting in and playing harmonica with a feeling and authenticity that has become his hallmark.
At sixteen, Steve got a tip from a friend that an established boy band, The Majestics, needed a singer because theirs was leaving to join a "soul band". With his acoustic Gibson guitar and a Bob Dylan song book, Steve auditioned, singing House of the Rising Sun and was hired on the spot. The band soon changed their name to The Good Feelin' and quickly became the St. Louis phenom that also launched the impressive musical careers of Michael McDonald (Doobie Brothers) and Steve Scorfina (REO Speedwagon and Pavlov’s Dog). Steve's earliest songwriting efforts helped the band win a national talent search and recording session in Los Angeles, California. But it was several years later (1976) that Steve's songwriting and vocal ability captured the attention of Chicago's Franne Golde and resulted in an album on Atlantic Records and appearances with the Manhattan Transfer, Beach Boys and Billy Joel. Steve’s gritty vocals and rhythmic keyboard style matured during his years working in Chicago along side Chess Records’ R&B and blues greats, including Etta James, Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf.
Steve took a detour from the music world in the 80's and 90's, during which he married and raised two children, Jason and London. Family life required different talents and Steve's energy, enthusiasm and sincerity transferred well to the business world, where he excelled in a variety of sales and management roles for companies including Maritz, Merrill Lynch, AT&T, and Citi Mortgage. But friends, family and fans clamored for his return to performing. So, in 2009, when long-time friend, Jim Stonebraker called, Steve jumped at the chance to join forces, contributing his strong vocals, keyboard and harmonica work, and energetic stage presence to the Stoney End group.