This article on Steve’s performance at the Eclipse Music Hall in the Plains Ohio appeared in the Athens Messenger and was written on 1.24.24 by Tracey A. Maine. You can view the full link here.
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Following in the footsteps of his boyhood idol, American folk singer Pete Seeger, musician Steve Zarate said his live performances hinge on audience participation.
Zarate will perform from 6-9 p.m. Friday at Eclipse Company Store, 11309 Jackson Drive, The Plains. His two sets will include acoustic versions of popular songs from the 1950s to the 1980s.
He said he also is counting on audience members to come prepared to make requests, and even sing along with him — regardless of how well they carry a tune.
Originally from Columbus, Zarate — which rhymes with “Karate” — didn’t come from a musical family. Though one of his most vivid childhood memories involves him and his grandparents driving through New York City while The Beatles’ song “HELP” played on the radio.
This event showed Zarate how a single song could turn what might have been a fleeting moment into a cherished and unforgettable memory.
Inspired by counselors he met while attending a summer camp in the mid-1970s, Zarate began playing acoustic guitar and writing songs at the age of 15.
Neil Young’s 1972 hit “Heart of Gold” made such an impression on Zarate that he even decided to learn how to play the harmonica. Some of his musical heroes include Don McLean, of “American Pie” fame, Sir Elton John, James Taylor and Joni Mitchell.
One of Zarate’s most significant musical influences was singer/songwriter Seeger (1914-2014), who penned iconic tunes “If I Had a Hammer” in 1949, and “Turn, Turn, Turn: To Everything There is a Season” in 1959.
Seeger was also famous for encouraging his audiences to sing along with him — especially when performing his rendition of “We Shall Overcome.”
Between 1978 and 1991, Zarate earned degrees in telecommunication, political science and journalism from Ohio University. After graduation, he worked as a carpenter and an NPR reporter in Petersburg, Alaska.
Zarate was so impressed by the natural beauty of Southeast Ohio that in 1992 he released 18 original songs on a cassette called “Athens Solstice.”
Eventually Zarate returned to Athens, where he has been performing at area venues since 2006.
As for his performance style, Zarate said he has three different musical modes.
“My first mode involves me doing my own songs. To date, I’ve written 300 sings,” he said. “Next, I have my request mode, where I take suggestions from the audience. And, the third is what I call my ‘background music mode.’”
Zarate elaborated, “During my last mode, I play a lot of instrumentals. I play these types of songs when I’m playing somewhere where people are eating, because who wants to sing while they’re having dinner?”
Of all his different musical modes, Zarate said he favored his request mode.
“I consider myself a kind of street musician,” he said. “I enjoy it when someone makes a song request that I know. But, if I don’t know a particular song, then I do another song from that same artist.”
In an homage to Seeger, Zarate also encourages his audience members to sing with him during his performances. “Inviting people to sing along with me is always fun, and it helps to keep things spontaneous!”
Much like Seeger, Zarate also is an activist who champions causes geared to environmentalism. One way he supports the cause is by being an avid bike rider.
“If we don’t want to see our planet suffer any more damage, then now is the time for us to start changing our ways,” he said.
For information on Zarate’s life, career, and music, visit stevezarate.com.
Eclipse Company Store is open from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays.
For information, call (740) 677-4904 or visit www.eclipsecompanystore.com.