b l u e i n t h e f a c e

stephen webb
Stephen's bio coming soon...

b a c k
Music has been the one consistent passion in my life. Injected at birth and addicted ever since. Any talent was surpassed by desire. I work hard to keep up with the other members of this band. My parents recognized my desire and never waivered in their support for my passion. Making sure I had good instruments and buying lessons to keep me going. They suffered through many a bad "home" performance.

Fast-forward to the sixties, where, I found this incredible drive to play. In high school (Woodson, in Northern Virginia) I played in a couple of bands that had very cool names. The Great Pumpkin Syndicate and The Queen's Rogues. These bands were garage bands that did play at the occasional sock-hop and private party.

My first real paying gig was with a band called Sage/Ontario back in the late '70's. This began as a duo with Fred Kearns and myself. It evolved into a trio known as "Friend" as we added Leanne Friend. She is an incredible vocalist and her flute leads were intoxicating. Leanne's influence was of the most profound and structured kind. Classically trained on the flute she brought a whole new side to the band. She organized and arranged our songs allowing time for creativity on stage. She was the one that taught me the value of "feeling" the music. To this day she has been the one soul that has most influenced my life and my music. For this I will always be eternally grateful.

Fred relocated to Florida to start a family and Leanne and I married. We decided to move forward with our music and added another locally known and vastly talented muscian, Lynn Watson. This girl is another incredible vocalist and her guitar work was intimidating. She taught me so much throughout the years while we were on stage! The band was now known as "Friends Again". We had many successful years playing the various clubs in town including: The Jewish Mother, The Sunset Grille, Carlos Murphys, Papa's Pub, Smackwater Jacks, Lock's Point Restraunt (Hodad's) and even many evenings on the 21st Street stage at the Virginia Beach ocean front.

The band came to an end when health and family issues prevailed. Michael Ray, in the meantime, became my best friend. Although we never were in a band together we had our weekly evenings of music. His band "Hand Picked" became my favorite local trio with Mare Carmody and Woody Miles rounding out the roster. Michael took on the job of my musical education. Constantly bringing new artists to my ears making my influences so varied that I can say only that Michael Ray is my only true musical influence. So if you really want to know who influenced my music go ask Michael. If you want to know who influenced my passion to play go ask Leanne.

Anyway, Michael convinced me to emerge from my musical retirement and join a band he was starting. There were so many names but a couple of them were "Stoodoodles" (I was never really sure how to spell that name) and "PepperHead". As things do, the band members changed and so did the band. The current lineup of "Blue in the Face" are truely my best friends. Levi, I have known since he was a tadpole following his father around chasing car parts. When Michael told me that he was the bass player we would be playing with I was blown away.

Jeff has truely been a blessing in my life. When he first came to a practice to check us out I had no idea he could sing. OH they told me he was going to sing with us but I had no idea he could SING. Behind the voice is one of the most caring and giving people I have ever met. I place him in the company of people like John and Pat Ward for those of you that have had the pleasure. Jeff's vocal talent is truely the smallest part of his talents. He is a friend first that is very grounded and a joy to be around.

Woody Miles, Helen Miles (band mom) and Logan Miles are the bedrock of the band. I met Woody while he was playing in Canyon Blue with Michael. To finally be in a band with him is a dream come true. His son, Logan has the luck of having two musically talented parents. Come hear the band when Logan is sitting in for a song or two and you will see what I mean. The boy is going places. To Helen I just want to say thanks. You are an inspiration to all of us in the band. Thats it. Oh there is much more and if you want to know the rest you will have to come to a gig and ask.