Steven Courtney

New Recording of Steven Courtney + the Suitcase Musicians- LIVE & in Concert!

Steven Courtney — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:02:31 +0000

Steven Courtney + the Suitcase Musicians- LIVE & in Concert!

When I was a kid… I loved “live” albums. It was fun to hear the difference between a studio version and a live version of a familiar song. I’d usually pretend that I was performing with the band as I listened. One night I’d pretend to be the piano player the next night I might be the drummer. I imagined we traveled and every show was in another town performing to a new crowd.

I hope you get lost in this music and that it finds a warm happy place in your heart. I’m so happy when I perform with the Suitcase Musicians. They are my friends… my musical family. They are fun to travel with and they make me laugh. A lot!

So, we kick off the show with the tune Million Smiles To Go. We play it a bit faster than the album version but the track explodes with the carnival rock sound as Fred “Toots” McNaughton blasts out notes on his trumpet and Judy “Toe Jam” Lehman swings on the trombone.

Everyone is having a blast as we roll into Great Day To Be Alive. Kelly “Mumbles” Good pumps out the chords on piano while she sings along too. She sings and plays so sweet on Walk In Love.

Before long we’re jumping and jamming to 42 Monkeys and Mark “Levis” DeRose gets funky on the electric bass. Ooh, ah…ooh ooh ah!

Big Old Jeb, Strange Old Cat and Happy Go Lucky Shoes lets the crowd sing-a-long and swing a bit as well. I love to hear Doug “Fernadez” Walton wail on the electric guitar at the end of Big Old Jeb.

Bag of Dreams is my song for you. I hope you dream a dream or two…every now and then a dream comes true. So many of mine did. : )

By the time we get to the Dance Party it looks like everyone in the crowd is saying yes to my question… Will You Be My Friend? I totally love how the band explodes into a major jam after the call and response vocal section. I shout out.. “Come on let’s rock and roll!” and Fred echoes “Come on let’s rock and roll!” and the next thing you know, we’re a little rocking band…everyones jumping up and down, the horns are blaring, I’m banging on my drums as we all celebrate love and family.

That’s what this music and the Suitcase Musicians are all about… it’s all about the love.

Well, I hope you love this “live” album as much as I loved live albums when I was a kid.

Love be with you…’til we meet again.

Recorded live in concert this album is a collection of concert favorites from the bands 2012 concert dates.

Produced by Steven Courtney for Sun Hill Records

Set List

Million Smiles To Go
Great Day To Be Alive
Walk In Love
42 Monkeys
Big Old Jeb
Strange Old Cat
Happy Go Lucky Shoes
Steven the Pirate
My Potatoes
Bag of Dreams
Will You Be My Friend? (the Dance Party)
I Wanna Go Home
credits
released 11 April 2013
Steven Courtney + The Suitcase Musicians

Doug “Fernadez” Walton- electric guitar, mandolin, backing vocals
Kelly “Mumbles” Good- piano, backing vocals
Fred “Toots” McNaughton- trumpet, ukulele, percussion, backing vocals
Judy “Toe Jam” Lehman- trombone,ukulele,guitar,banjo,glockenspiel
Mark “Levis” DeRose- bass
Steven Courtney- drums, guitar, harmonica, lead vocals, rock-n-roll carnival circus ring leader

Official Band Sponsor- Menchey Music
www.mencheymusic.com

Album design my Mark DeRose
Album mixed at Folktowne Studio-Manheim,PA

Visit my website for more concert and booking info

Twitter: steventhepirate

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Steven Coutney’s Musicampalooza ® for Young Learners

Steven Courtney — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:16:23 +0000

New for Preschools and Young Learning Centers!

Steven Coutney’s Musicampalooza ® for Young Learners, is a 45 to 60 minute program that teaches core values like honesty, respect, kindness, loving others, giving, positive attitude, humor and more. The program blends elements of music and movement with fun activities, that are developmentally appropriate for ages 3 through 6.

Musicampalooza ® for Young Learners, is brought to your location by award winning performing songwriter, Steven Courtney. Children look forward to this fun-filled time, that includes call and response singing, rhythm play, language play, animal sounds and other sound effects which are all blended together with an incredible amount of Steven Courtney’s positive attitude and influence.

Musicampalooza ® for Young Learners supports research-based values learning and cognitive development in rhythm and tonality.

This program is available on a recurring, monthly or quarterly basis for Preschools, Daycares and Young Learning Centers. Children will love the experience of Steven Courtney’s Musicampalooza!

Call or e-mail Steven for more info and rates.

Phone : 717.665.6341

E-mail : steven@stevencourtney.com

Last Show of 2012 with the Suitcase Musicians

Steven Courtney — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 15:28:16 +0000

Looking forward to 2013 and another year of shows with the Suitcase Musicians! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the kids and families that made 2012 a great year!

Love be with you… ’til we meet again.

Annville, Pennsylvania 
The Allen Theatre 
December 15, 2012

Million Smiles To Go
Jingle Bells
Great Day To Be Alive
Walk In Love
Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer
Rock-n-Roll ( featuring Kelly Good)
Happy Lucky Shoes
42 Monkeys
Go Santa GO!
If Coffee Smells So Good (featuring Fred McNaughton)
Strange Old Cat
Big Old Jeb
Steven the Pirate
Will You Be My Friend
I Wanna Go Home

Suitcase Musicians  (Left to Right)
Doug “Half Blind” Walton- electric guitar, mandolin, vocals
Fred McNaughton- ukulele, coronet, percussion,wild dancing,jingle bells, vocals 
 Judy “Toe Jam” Lehman- trombone, ukulele, banjo, guitar, glockenspiel 
Steven Courtney- drums, guitar. harmonica, vocals
Mark DeRose- bass, vocals 
Kelly “Mumbles” Good- piano, vocals

WXPN Kids Corner Music Festival – 11/17/12 at Millersville University

Steven Courtney — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 19:07:29 +0000

Back in April I ran into Kid’s Corner radio host Kathy O’Connell and producer Robert Drake at KindieFest in Brooklyn,NY. Robert mentioned to me that WXPN was hoping to host a Kid’s Corner Music Festival in the greater Central PA area in November and asked if Steven Courtney + the Suitcase Musicians could be part of the event.

A few hours later, while on break for lunch, Joyce I met Donnie Atkins and Mike Hartsfield from the rockin’ band called The Diggity Dudes based out of Richmond, VA. Great guys, super talented musicians and excellent songwriters.

A few months passed by and Robert Drake reached out to secure bookings with The Diggity Dudes and Steven Courtney + the Suitcase Musicians for the
inaugural event WXPN Kids Corner Music Festival – 11/17/12 at Millersville University.

Long story short… the event “Sold Out” and we a great day performing and meeting all the good folks from the WXPN family and listeners young and old.

Steven Courtney + the Suitcase Musicians, Kathy O’Connell and The Diggity Dudes before the show.

Millersville, Pennsylvania
WXPN Kids Corner Music Festival
November 17, 2012

Million Smiles To Go
Great Day To Be Alive
My Potatoes
Walk In Love
Happy Go Lucky Shoes
42 Monkeys
Big Old Jeb!
Bag of Dreams
Strange Old Cat
Imaginary Motorplane
Steven the Pirate
Will You BE My Friend

Suitcase Musicians
Doug “Half Blind” Walton- electric guitar, mandolin, vocals
Judy “Toe Jam” Lehman- trombone, ukulele, banjo, guitar, glockenspeil
Fred McNaughton- ukulele, coronet, percussion, vocals
Mark DeRose- bass
Kelly “Mumbles” Good- piano, vocals

Special thanks to Joyce Courtney for the photographic images

*Starred Review* School Library Journal- Sun Hill Market

Steven Courtney — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:43:25 +0000

* Starred review in the November 2012 issue of School Library Journal.

Steven Courtney follows-up his Million Smiles to Go (2011) with this incredible collection of 30 songs. Spanning rock ‘n’ roll, blues, country, and beyond, each track is richly constructed, featuring Courtney’s sometimes Tom Petty-like lead vocals accompanied by as little as an acoustic guitar or as much as a full band with a jamming brass section.
Courtney wrote the majority of the songs, but he manages to put his unique, exciting stamp on traditional tunes such as “This Old Man,” “Rockabye Baby,” and “Wee Willie Winkie.” His impressive skill as a musician is evident in the strength of each song in this vast collection.

Among the numbers are “Bag of Dreams,” “Day in the Country,” “Hat Like That,” “Monkey McKobboh,” “Spaceman,” “Skyscraper,” “Back to the Farm,” and more. Enjoyable listening for the whole family, this is a must-have for every collection.

–Veronica De Fazio, Plainfield Public Library District, IL

For additional content about Sun Hill Market watch Making The Album-Sun Hill Market

Steven Courtney + the Suitcase Musicians Rock Harmony Bethel Church

Steven Courtney — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 19:37:00 +0000

6:30 PM. Showtime! The band is greeted with an enthusiastic roar of cheers and applause. As usual I greet the crowd and move right into introducing the band members. To me it’s important for folks to know “who” these Suitcase Musicians are. “On electric guitar, mandolin and vocals… Doug Walton!” Cheers. “On the other side of the stage… my great buddy, radio personality and performing songwriter Fred McNaughton!” I see folks nodding and looking around as they applaud. Yes, that Fred McNaughton.

“Ok, on with the show!” Wait. “Did I forget someone?” The children point to Judy and Bennett. “Oh, yes… keep your eye on this one, she’ll be playing many different instruments tonight! Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls… multi-instrumentalist Judy Toe Jam Lehman!” More cheers and applause.

“For anyone who has followed the band over the past 12 years… you might recognize our bass player. He was a member of Big Happy House and a regular on the award winning TV show “The Steven Courtney Channel” please welcome “the face with the bass… Bennett Rabiega!” Joyful applause.

“Here’s a fun song called “Million Smiles To Go!” Clap along to the beat! One, two, three…four!” The band explodes into the carnivalesque folk rock vibe of the song. Smiles exude. Hands clap…some in rhythm… others, well… at least they’re clapping! As we roll along through the next three songs in the set I realize I’m having a bit of trouble with the lyrics. Some nights… they just don’t want to come out right. It’s little things like singing part of the third verse when you’re actually singing the second verse or singing the same verse twice while skipping a verse entirely. It happens. I’ve learned to keep on smiling and singing anyway!

Enter Fred’s first song of the night “My Mom Is A Pirate.” I set Fred up to introduce the song and he mumbles a bit and tries to explain how to participate and singalong. But, before he starts he realizes that his harmonica is upside down in the brace. Imagine sitting down to play a piano and all the notes are backwards. The bass notes at your right hand hand while your left hand plinks away at the upper range. It would produce a disorienting effect. But, old Freddo is a pro. He makes a joke, flips it around in the brace and slides into his humorous song for all the mom’s in this world. The good folks and children respond with a big hand as he wraps the tune.

After that, it was smooth sailing all the way from “42 Monkeys” to Pirate Island. “Will You Be My Friend” brought the crowd to their feet for the family dance party. A major expression of approval followed with applause, whoops and whistles! We sent folks down the road with “I Wanna Go Home” and took our bows.

Dillsburg, Pennsylvania
Harmony Bethel Church
September 22, 2012

Million Smiles To Go
Rattle Bang Boom
My Potatoes
Great Day To Be Alive
Walk In Love
My Mom IS A Pirate- (feat Phredd)
42 Monkeys
This Old Man
Happy Go Lucky Shoes
If Coffee Smells So Good-(feat Phredd)
Bag of Dreams
Strange Old Cat
Big Old Jeb
Imaginary Motorplane skit
Steven the Pirate
Will U Be My Friend?
I Wanna Go Home

Suitcase Musicians
Doug “Half Blind” Walton- electric guitar, mandolin, vocals
Judy “Toe Jam” Lehman- trombone, ukulele, banjo, guitar, glockenspeil
Fred McNaughton- ukulele, coronet, percussion, vocals
Bennett “Rags” Rabiega- bass

Special thanks to concert promoter Amanda Cole for a great night. You are loved.

Photo extras:

Stage left entry…

Post show madness…

Everybody Was Dancing and Singing at Saint Patrick’s School

Steven Courtney — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 01:50:16 +0000

It was a slow burn.

We opened the show with Rattle Bang Boom and chugged along through Walk In Love. Then we kicked it up a notch with 42 Monkeys and got the good folks of St.Patrick’s jumping and hootin’!

Kelly ripped into Rock and Roll from her album Singing Through the Alphabet and we heard a few whoops and screams.

Happy Go Lucky Shoes pulled the parents into the show and I had a feeling we were on our way to a real good time. Threw the kids a curve when we hit Yellow Submarine and the parents were singing along and smiling.

Big Old Jeb worked well for the “sing-a-long” song and Doug ripped into a blazing solo at the end of the tune. By this time the dad’s are looking at each other like… “Whoa…these guys rock! So do those gals in the band!”

From there it was a nostalgic slide into Steven the Pirate with a wild ride featuring the comedic skit Imaginary Motorplane. We wrapped the show with Will You Be My Friend? and wild dance party complete with a standing ovation.

Long live Kindie music! It’s all about the love…

York,Pennsylvania
St.Patrick’s School Family Fun Night
September 21, 2012

Rattle Bang Boom
My Potatoes
Dirt (Kelly)
Great Day To Be Alive
Walk In Love
42 Monkeys
Rock and Roll ( Kelly)
Happy Go Lucky Shoes
Yellow Submarine
Bag of Dreams
Strange Old Cat
Big Old Jeb
Imaginary Motorplane skit
Steven the Pirate
Will U Be My Friend?

Suitcase Musicians
Doug Walton- electric guitar, mandolin, vocals
Judy Lehman- trombone, ukulele, banjo, guitar, glockenspeil
Kelly Good- piano, vocals
Mark DeRose- bass

Photo Extras: From the dressing room
Kelly the eye…

Mark….”what’s that smell?”

Judy always find the wacky clothes laying around the room…

Steven Courtney + the Suitcase Musicians live from York, PA

Steven Courtney — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 03:25:56 +0000

Another fun and musical night with the band. Special thanks to concert sponsor Typical Life Corporation and promoter Dave Kominsky. Three cheers for the host venue Pleasureville United Methodist Church and Pastor Steve Livermore!

York,Pennsylvania
Pleasureville UMC
September 20, 2012

Million Smiles To Go
My Potatoes
Great Day To Be Alive
Walk In Love
This Old Man
Happy Go Lucky Shoes
42 Monkeys
Rattle Bang Boom
Bag of Dreams
Strange Old Cat
If Coffee Smells So Good (featuring Phredd)
My Mom Is A Pirate (featuring Phredd)
Big Old Jeb
Steven the Pirate
Will You Be My Friend
I Wanna Go Home
Rolling Home

Suitcase Musicians
Doug Walton- electric guitar, mandolin, vocals
Judy Lehman- trombone, ukulele, banjo, guitar, glockenspeil
Fred McNaughton- ukulele, coronet, percussion, vocals
Mark DeRose- bass

Live at Mill Road Elementary

Steven Courtney — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 13:55:26 +0000

Had a great night at Mill Road Elementary in Elizabethtown, PA with the Suitcase Musicians. Thanks to all the good folks who took the time to sing, hoot and dance with their family and friends!

We’d love to visit your school too!

Elizabethtown,Pennsylvania
Mill Road Elementary
September 7, 2012

Million Smiles To Go
My Potatoes (featuring Kelly and Doug)
Great Day To Be Alive
Walk In Love
This Old Man
Happy Go Lucky Shoes
42 Monkeys
Rock and Roll (featuring Kelly)
Dirt (featuring Kelly)
Bag of Dreams
Strange Old Cat
If Coffee Smells So Good (featuring Phredd)
Big Old Jeb
Steven the Pirate
Will You Be My Friend
I Wanna Go Home
Rolling Home

Suitcase Musicians
Doug Walton- electric guitar, mandolin, vocals
Kelly Good- piano, vocals
Fred McNaughton- ukulele, coronet, percussion, vocals
Mark DeRose- bass
Road crew- Zack “I Can Do That” McNaughton

Sun Hill Market

Steven Courtney — Wed, 09 May 2012 01:17:24 +0000