What do Willie Nelson, Joni Mitchell, Michael Nesmith, Stephen Stills, John Denver and Lyle Lovett have in common?
STEVEN FROMHOLZ.
Throughout his career, Steven Fromholz repeatedly found himself at the forefront of multiple musical phenomenons that took America by storm:
“Woodstock”, “Summer of Love”, & “Outlaw Country,”
Yet, his name has seemingly been all but lost to history.
Some might say that Steven Fromholz had a knack for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
“Unlucky”, “Cursed”, “Self-Sabotage”
Those are just a few of the words that’ve been used over the years to describe Fromholz’ musical career.
Steven’s North Star and tenet, “life is mostly…attitude and timing,” kept his gaze forward and hopes high.
One example:
In 1973, Steven’s debut solo album, “How Long is the Road to Kentucky,”
was produced by Monkees frontman, and fellow Texan, Michael Nesmith, but just two days before it was set to be pressed and released, it was shelved due to a mix-up with the label(Elektra/Countryside) at the top. So, the album was never made, and the master tapes were all but lost, left to collect dust.
Until now…
We’ve located those master tapes and are currently seeking the right label to help us finally bring this album to life.
Steven’s first two solo albums in 1973, were recorded, mixed, shelved, then forgotten about; adding to the vast collection of never-before-heard recordings of Fromholz’ that have since been discovered, with hopes of giving them a proper release.
“This man is best served to live on the outer fringes of society.”
Those were the very words written on Fromholz’ Navy discharge papers in 1968.
It was on the outskirts where Steven would experience life changing moments that would influence not only his songwriting but his approach to life;
redefining what success means and being revered for those very choices he made, inspiring all who got to experience Steven first-hand.
Steven would undoubtedly find where he belonged: the stage
From performing in front of 30,000 fans at Madison Square Garden to being the ONLY artist to appear on 3 of the first 4 seasons of Austin City Limits, appearing a total of 5 times, to the border of Mexico and Texas on the Rio Grande with Texas Governor Ann Richards, to the silver-screen in films like
“Songwriter”(with Willie Nelson) & “Outlaw Blues”(with Peter Fonda), to organizing a mass-mooning of the KKK at the Texas State Capitol, or on the streets of Austin with author and literary titan, Molly Ivins, standing up for his community and those less fortunate than he.
Steven Fromholz never found a stage where he wasn’t a natural entertainer and leader.
One does not use the word “inimitable” very often when describing someone, but in Steven Fromholz’ case,
there isn’t a more fitting word to describe this larger-than-life figure.