Steve Zarate (rhymes with “Karate”) began playing acoustic guitar and harmonica and writing songs at age 15 in 1976, emulating summer camp counselors in Columbus, Ohio. Inspired by watching them play and sing around summer evening campfires, he taught himself as a teen to play favorite songs by Elton John, Neil Young, The Beatles and many others on guitar. He’s since learned and performed music by hundreds of other artists, while also writing nearly 300 original songs of his own.
While earning degrees in Telecommunications, Political Science and Journalism from Ohio University between 1978 and 1991, Steve grew to cherish Athens and the surrounding countryside. In early 1992 he released 18 original songs on a cassette called Athens Solstice and then, having already spent part of 1988 as a carpenter and NPR reporter in Petersburg, Alaska, Steve became eager to experience more of the amazing 49th state.
So with grad school finished he returned to Alaska later in 1992. During an 11-month stay in Homer, he co-produced and contributed to a collaborative recording, Welcome The Spirit Green!, before relocating to Juneau in mid-1993. State employment there and immersion in the capital city’s vibrant musical culture led to Steve making his first CD, Homecoming (1996), featuring 13 originals and support from wonderful Juneau musicians. With positive feedback strengthening Steve’s growing confidence that dedicated musicianship and inspirational songwriting are central to his life, he returned to the lower 48 in July 1997 to pursue musical ambitions.
In 2003, nationally known vocal trio The Local Girls included Steve’s song Jewel Of The Hocking on a multi-artist musical celebration of Athens and Ohio University called Four Year Heaven. Performing professionally throughout southeast Ohio since 2006 he has entertained at dozens of events and venues, gaining a reputation as a talented musician and request specialist with a vast repertoire.
In 2007, Mountain Stage’s NewSong Contest named Steve an Ohio Valley Regional Co-Finalist, and he has gone on to release three more recordings:
- Silver Linings (2008), an EP showcasing six originals through a collaboration with Bernie Nau of Peach Fork Studios and excellent Athens-area musicians,
- Live At The Blue Room (2013), spotlighting a 2012 solo concert at Nick Collura’s InSea Sound Shop in Nelsonville, Ohio, and
- Patchwork Of Light (2019), a collection of 14 healing-oriented originals recorded with stalwart musicians Terry Douds and Rusty Smith.