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Mon - Thu 6 am - 9:30 pm
Friday 6 am - 11:00 pm
Saturday 7 am - 11:00 pm
Sunday 8 am - 5:00 pm

Steven Ybarra — February 2nd, 2007 ~ 8 - 10 pm

Steven Ybarra began learning music at the age of 3 when his family got him a drum set and an accordion. Being raised in a family of Germans and Hispanics, his culture at home was colored and full of variety, hearing music from Julio Iglesias to Helmut Lotti. His oma (German for grandmother) first took him to Germany at the age of 1, and from then on it was a mixture of sauerkraut and tamales. This Texas-born singer-songwriter attended Catholic school through the 8th grade, which set a spiritual foundation for his beliefs today and his current walk with Christ. This is where it all began--singing every week in church, just being a part of the worship and praise music and not knowing or dreaming at that young of an age what his life would hold.

'I knew that I had been blessed with talent, I just was not sure how or where I would use it. Growing up I just wanted to be successful in whatever I did. For awhile I wanted to be an attorney and know everything about justice. I wanted to make good for my family, as we barely had food on the table. My parents did the best they could and out of that grew a drive from always being poor, to wanting to excel at whatever I did and make something of myself.'

In middle school, Steven played the snare drum in band, as did his father. After moving to San Diego from Houston, Steven attended high school in Carlsbad, CA where he found himself drawn to friends that wanted to play music. Right after high school his mother took him to a Christian church where TV evangelist and prophet, Kim Clement, was visiting. At an altar call, Kim prophesied over Stevens life saying the Lord is working a miracle in this mans life right now; he has no idea what the Lord is going to use him for.

Around that time he became the front-man and co-writer for a band that he would perform in for over 12 years. The name of the band began as LIQUID GROOVE and then became known as 34BELOW. The band produced 5 CDs spawning national radio airplay and bookings at key venues like House of Blues and Coors Amphitheater. Their successes came from capturing the essence and sentimentality of everything from 70s rock influences to 90s hard rock, and early rock ballads. After writing over 200 songs, getting signed, playing over a thousand shows, being on radio and TV, touring in 47 states, member changes, band name changes and every possible scenario, circumstance, situation, rejection and praise that a band could experience, Steven got very ill with Encephalitis in late 2005. As a result of his sickness, his life completely changed. He could no longer perform with the band and his love for God and his faith increased; he had time to slow down and find out what mattered most. He proposed to his long time girlfriend who now manages his career. After giving his life to Christ he now attends church regularly, sometimes singing in his churchs worship service. Steven chose to leave his band, as their schedule and overall direction no longer fit into his life physically or spiritually.

The sudden and lengthy down time gave Steven an opportunity to write and record his own songs. Songs, as Steven says, [they] are gifts from God. His new songs have an uplifting and positive message with themes of struggle and perseverance through love. He allows the listener to decide whether that love is about the love of God, a higher power, or the love of another person. Perhaps it's both. Steven has always added a dynamic and certain versatility to his songwriting approach by incorporating spirituality and his faith through his lyrics; it allows the listener to create their own interpretation and meaning of the songs.

'Having a serious illness can trigger some extensive soul searching. I found a part of myself that was yearning to do something new and different and now the timing is right. I am very thankful and blessed to have this opportunity to share my music. I want to create honest, thought-provoking songs with passion and meaning ... something people can grab on to and have it leave them with a sense of knowing themselves a little bit better.'

Steven plans to create music that is not overproduced and does not take away from the innocence of where the songs first originated; he keeps it simple with some harmonies, piano, simple percussion and acoustic guitars. Steven's voice has always been one of his strongest points. He has a voice that is raw and soulful-one that sounds like you are sitting in a room with him with no one else around.

He has been given the gift of writing songs that have a pop-rock, radio-friendly appeal to them. Audiences love and appreciate the delivery of his music. One could hear his songs through the voices of adult alternative artists, country artists and contemporary top 40 pop artists, both male and female. He has been compared to other popular artists, such as Edwin McCain, James Powter, James Blunt and Shawn Mullins.

Check out Steven's MySpace site

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