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ABOUT STEPHEN

As a kid growing up in West Virginia, Stephen spent hours in the basement of the family home, playing a cheap Del Ray guitar with the action so high that he could barely press down the strings to make them sound. He began to write songs in that place, trying to sound like records on the radio. They were songs of longing and unrequited love, the kind any 14 year old boy might write. And he imagined himself a pop star. In truth, he had no idea what he was doing. But it didn’t matter to him. He simply went forward and pretended that he was making a record.

A million years later, he finally completed one. Then two. And then a cover album!

Okay, not a million years. But a lot of years later, more than he thought it would be. The guitars sounded better and were easier to play, and the lyrics were more than a little advanced from the desperate longings of a 14 year old boy. But the idea remained the same one he had at 14 – to go into a studio and record his songs.

The first album wass called Chasing Ghosts, because the record’s songs are full of ghosts, always lurking around from the past while they bump into the present. These are ghosts that cause passion, flames, and desire to break out and then hide. Ghosts that are banished only to return. Ghosts begging to be reckoned with. The kind of ghosts anybody has hanging around if they live long enough. The second was called Welcome To Here and Now. Lots of songs about trying to find home as one grows older. More songs, more dreams, more loss, and the occasional moment of finding something more.

“Welcome to Here and Now” was released in 2022. It featured more original songs and contributions from guest vocalists Jaimee Harris, Elaine Lennon and Betty Soo.

And in 2024, Stephen released a cover album, spotlighting the songs of The Blue Nile and Paul Buchanan, called “Blueish”. It features the same band as his other records - Cisco Ryder on drums, Chris Maresh on bass, and Mike Hardwick on guitar. And this time they added Peter Stopschinski on piano and string arrangements, and welcomed back Betty Soo on background vocals and accordion. It also features the “Blueish String” quartet. It too was recorded by Chico Jones at Estuary Studio in Austin TX.

Stephen resides in the Bay Area of Northern California. He ended up in Austin when he fell in love with Eliza Gilkyson’s record, Secularia, and wanted to work with the producer of that record, Cisco Ryder Gilliland. He also wanted the guitar player he once heard accompany her, Mike Hardwick. So in August of 2019, he gathered there with many of the same musicians from that record and a few others, and made record #1, and in the spring of 2022, they all made record #2…and now, with some additional help, a 3rd.

He hopes you like them all - available for streaming everywhere you stream…

News & Updates

• The new album, Welcome To Here and Now, will be available on streaming platforms on October 28th. The album, featuring the musicians Mike Hardwick, Chris Maresh, Danny Levin, and Cisco Ryder Gilliland (also producer), and vocals by Jaimee Harris, Betty Soo and Elaine Lennon, was made in Austin TX. Singles will be coming shortly!

  lyrics for Welcome To Here and Now

The Weight of the World (Hinerman)

Musicians:

Stephen Hinerman: Vocals; Guitars

Mike Hardwick: Lead Guitars

Chris Maresh: Bass

Cisco Ryder Gilliland: Drums

Betty Soo: Background vocals

You say you want someone uncomplicated

Someone to give you that special spark

I tried to be that man

But I missed the mark

And I took on

The weight of the world

I twisted myself into a puzzle

I tied myself into knots

Soon I lost my way

The man that time forgot

And I crumbled under

The weight of the world

All I want is a new way of talkin’

A new way of walkin’ – out of this quicksand

To roar with the confidence of thunder

And a sense of wonder

About this promised land

So watch me as I set out

Dancing to the rhythm of my own heartbeat

As I sing a line or two

And I move my feet

As I begin to lose  - the weight of the world

Did You Feel the Same as Me (Hinerman)

Musicians:

SH: vocals, guitars

MH: guitars

CM: bass

CRG: drums

Danny Levin: piano

Jaimee Harris: vocals

When I saw your face

It was an answered prayer

The distance between us

Lighter than air

I felt our future

Was good as guaranteed

Still I wondered

Did you feel the same as me?

The way you looked at me

I had to say “yes”

But my heart held secrets

Too raw to confess

Even though I loved you

There were scars you’d never see

And I worried

Did you feel the same as me?

Now that fire is out

And the embers are dying

That night I said “I love you”

Was I just lying?

Now we pass by on the street

So casual

Acting like strangers

Who never loved at all

And the truth

Lives only in memories

While I still wonder

Did you feel the same as me?

I’ll always wonder

Do you feel the same as me?

The Night Hank Williams Lost His Heart (I Truly Saw The Light) – (Hinerman)

Musicians:

SH: vocal, guitar

MH: lead and steel guitar

CM: bass

CRG: drums

Jaimee Harris: background vocals

It may have been the codeine

It may have been the beer

It may have been the sickness

That rises from my fear

But when I saw your ruby lips

Nothin’ else mattered to me

I was used to starin’ down the endless night

But now I could lift my head and see

The light -  I truly saw the light

Your red hair like a fire

We burned the whole town down

The two of us left standin’

Not another soul around

People tried to warn me

‘you know how this always ends’

But by now I was starin’ right up

For once I was all in

To the light – I truly saw the light

The night I found my heart

Was the night I lost it too

How come when the party’s over

Somebody has to lose

Goddamn the lonesome whippoorwill

Goddamn the lovesick blues

And goddamn the love she brought

That tore me right in two

Some people say I’m touched

By the cool hand of grace

Some people say I’m haunted

And you can see it in my face

But I’ve learned the thing you love too much

Will bring on the thing you hate

And sometimes the light just blinds you

And darkness is your fate

You were once my light… with you I truly saw the light

I saw the light

Whatever I Am Looking For (Hinerman)

Musicians:

SH: guitar; keyboards

MH: guitar

CM: bass

CRG: drums

DL: piano

I scraped away at the ground / As if I were digging up a grave

Looking for a clue/ Looking for a sign

Of what I didn’t know / Maybe that I’d once been saved

By your look / By your smile

Whatever I was looking for / I didn’t find a thing

No strings attached / No diamond ring

It was all gone / couldn’t be restored

Whatever I was looking for

I still don’t know / If it was a suicide

Or just a shot / in the dark

If it was really love / Or you couldn’t ever decide

Between affection / And a lark

Whatever you were looking for / you never found out

The answer lay between/ certainty and doubt

And you went ahead / and settled the score

Of whatever you were looking for

You pointed the gun / Your aim was true

I’m still awake / the whole night through

Examining my dreams / looking through the clues

To find some truth

I won’t rest till it’s done / And I find the sad remains

Of everything that’s left / from all this pain

It’s got to be here / In this vast killing ground

If I can fit together/ all the pieces I’ve found

Whatever I am looking for / A glance here or there

A misspoken word / A missed sign of care

It can’t be all gone / Nothing can be ignored

Whatever I am looking for

The One I Used To Love (Hinerman)

Musicians:

SH: voice; guitars

MH: guitar; steel guitar

CM: bass

DL: cello

The one I used to love

Her voice still sounds within me

It haunts me like a restless ghost

That I cannot be rid of

When I fall in love again

The voice says this one won’t love you

They’ll look inside and in time they’ll see

The true limits of your love

I need to be free

From this voice haunting me

The one I used to love

Her time is finally over

Let her be banished from my heart

And her voice be still

So dissolve now restless ghost

Release me to go on my way

Time (Hinerman)

Musicians:

SH: voice; guitars

MH: lead guitars

CM: bass

CRG: drums

Betty Soo; bv

Why can’t I say the words that matter / And instead I just go mute

Can’t you hear my heart beat faster / When I’m standing in front of you

Time – is running short

Time – is winding down

Time – just disappears

Until it can’t be found

How I wish that I could kiss you / When I look into your eyes

But my lips won’t move an inch / And my throat just goes dry

Time – moves so fast

Time – will have its say

Time – won’t stop and capture you

Or keep you from floating away

Time is moving on

Time is running out

Time is all we have right now

So I can’t let you get away this time / When time is all we’ve got

If my heart has me tied up now / It’s time to undo the knot

Time – is all that’s left

Time – is winding down

Time – time is our last chance

Until we’re not around

Time is moving on

Time is running out    

Time is all we have

The Imperfect Place (Hinerman)

Musicians:

SH: voice; guitar

MH: guitar

CM: bass

CRG: drums

DL: organ

Betty Soo: bv

It’s easy to get lost  /  In a world that’s lost its way

So easy to give up / On any given day

I’d  hope the road ahead / would hold some happiness

But I’d end up settlin’ / for something far less

Still I’d go … on ahead … take the curve….around the bend

Don’t slow down / Pick up the pace

As I look for / The imperfect place

I’ve lived all over / this godforsaken land

From the hills of West Virginia / To the California sands

For all the good it did me / I left them all behind

Until you came along/ and unsettled my mind

So one foot … in front of the last … I keep moving … away from my past

Don’t slow down / Pick up the pace

As I look for / The imperfect place

So how can I believe

In this perfect me and you

It makes no sense

But I do…..

Oh God….won’t you please … bring her here … next to me

All I want is to see her face

Even in   …  this imperfect place

I’ll Call It Mine (Hinerman)

Musicians:

SH: vocal; guitar

MH: guitars, steel guitar

CM: bass

CRG: drums

I spent so long    /    Running for the higher ground

Till I was standing alone /  Looking around

I wanted to simply be

King of all I surveyed

Instead I felt it all  /   slipping away

The fallbacks failed / I was all hopelessness

Every answer I came up with  /  Just led to more sadness

I’d given up on others

Lost all faith in what I’d seen

Running from love  /  Running from me

But now I finally realize

This thing I never knew

Call it spirit   Call it God

Or call it simply truth

Call it a fact of life

Or call it divine

I’ll just call it mine

I’m finally coming down / Letting go these constant blues

Embracing the unknown  / That comes in loving you

We’ll dive into the mystery

Without a certain end

But we’ll be together /  My everlasting friend

Because now I finally realize

The thing I never knew

Call it spirit   Call it God

Or call it simply truth

Call it a fact of life

Or call it divine

For now I’ll call it love

For now I’ll call it mine

The Compass   (Hinerman)

Musicians:

SH: vocals; guitars

MH: guitars

CM: bass

CRG: drums

DL: strings; Roland Synth

I took it from your hand  / On your dying day

I watched the needle spin / As you faded away

All the things you said / About finding one’s own way

I quickly forgot / And the price I paid

I got lost / Looking for home

No direction / All alone

I lost the compass

You told me to give my heart / Instead I kept it close

You said look for mystery / But I simply froze

All you told me to do / I did in reverse

Every time the heavens smiled / I took it for a curse

I went through / All the wrong doors

Until I had little / To live for

Without the compass

Inside each laugh is pain

Inside each sun some rain

Inside each smile a tear

Inside each boast some fear

Inside each kiss a sigh

Inside hello, goodbye

In everything I do

Inside me, there is still you

So I get down on my knees / Pray upon that floor

Say I am helpless here / I’m so tired of the wars

I don’t even know / which way is east or west

Just show me what I need / to try to be my best

And suddenly / I disappear

And in that moment / I lose my fear

I found the compass

Inside each fire is ice

Inside hell, paradise

Inside each no a yes

Inside each curse we’re blessed

Inside each flood some ground

Inside each loss something found

Inside each lock, a key

Inside you, there is me

I Am the Prodigal Son (Hinerman)   

Musicians:

SH: vocals; guitar

MH: guitar

CM: bass

CRG: drums

Betty Soo: bv

I am the prodigal son  / And I’ve lived my life in chains

Once or twice in ecstasy / But mostly trapped in pain

Every other thought was “me” / Every other word was “I”

Every gift I gave I took back / Every love just one more goodbye

I can’t find  /   I can’t find /  I can’t find my way home

I can’t find  /   I can’t find /  I can’t find my way home

I am the prodigal son / I once thought I had it made

That I could handle anything / That I never felt afraid

But then I fell for you / Then I lost my heart

Then you left  / And then I fell apart

I can’t find/I can’t find/I can’t find……my way home…..

I can’t find/I can’t find./I can’t find….my way home…..

There’s nothing left / I’m sorry / I just want to come home

Will you take me back / I’m so sorry/ Just let me come home

I want to come back

I want to come back

I want to come back….home

Let me come back

Let me come back

Let me come back….home

I am the prodigal son  /  And my time is running out

My pockets they are empty / My heart is filled with doubt

Every excuse is used up / Every emotion is shame

Everyone has left now / And there’s only myself to blame

Because of Toledo (Paul Buchanan)

Musicians:

SH: vocal

DL: piano

CM: bass

Elaine Lennon: vocal

One More Silent Night  (Hinerman)

Musicians:

SH: vocals; guitar

CM: bass

DL: piano

One more silent night

One more Christmas time

One more holy moment

Without you by my side

One more season of waiting

For the darkness to end

For you to come home

And be with me again

I’m makin’ a wish, makin’ it twice

Prayin’ on this silent night

If there were angels around

They surely wouldn’t sing

A song of love

for some far distant king

No, I’d shout a request

For a quick round of blues

Or a song of adoration

All just for you

I can’t decide if it’s naughty or nice

To be dreaming on this silent night

Let’s have a round for the broken hearted

For all of those who still weep

Another round for their hopes and their dreams

And the promises still to keep

Bring a round for the wise ones

Who followed the star till its end

And one last round for the one I love

Until I see her again

So I’m makin’ a wish

That next year we’ll see

The lights of Christmas

Shine on you and me

And under our tree

They’ll be a present for you

I’ll wrap it in red

And toss out all the blue

But till then you’ll be out of sight

For one more silent night

Home Away From Home (Hinerman)

Musicians

SH: guitar; vocals

MH: guitar

CM: bass

DL: fiddle

Randy Franklin: mandolin

Betty Soo: bv

I was on the banks of the dirty Ohio

Watchin’ the men who’d lost all hope

Sitting outside the floodwall

Sharing a little of our dope

We were two kids from college

We watched the sun go down

Sharin’ those smokes with a guy who said

“I’m just passin through your town

But let me tell you somethin’

All you need to carry in this life is a knife and a comb

And remember wherever you stay tonight

It’s your home away from home.”

My Great Grandpa was an engineer

He drove the C&O all night long

And every single time he went by his house

He blew that whistle strong

Now my great Grandma like to kill him

She said “How am I supposed to get a good night’s sleep?”

He said “I’m tryin’ to wake this town up

Folks here are just a bunch of sheep.

You just be glad I don’t keep goin’

End up somewhere the wind just blow

And never come back here no more

Just stay in my home away from home”

When I am ever gonna find my way home

When I am ever gonna find my way home

I moved west to Colorado

With a girl who looked like Emmylou

She got pregnant by some guy

Just because his eyes were blue

Then I moved out to California

Where I couldn’t settle down

I fell in love In Austin

Or else I just fell in love with the sound

Where I live now it’s way too hot

And there’s way too much stuff I own

It may be a place to live

But it’s not a home away from home

When am I ever gonna find my way home

When am I ever gonna find my way home

That girl I shared a smoke with

On the banks of the dirty Ohio

I hope she found some peace and quiet

Where everything’s just so

That guy who was passing through

I’m sure he’s long since gone

As is my Great Grandpa

But in me, his spirit lives on

And right now I don’t know where I am

Except that I’m alone

Maybe I just need to get me a knife and a comb

And go search for my home away from home

It’s all I’m really lookin’ for

My home away from home

Welcome to Here and Now (Hinerman)

Musicians:

SH: vocals; guitars

MH: guitars

CM: bass

CRG: drums

Welcome       To here and now

Here                Being here

Right now      Here and now

And breathe     Breathe

Welcome       To hope today

Hope              Being hope

Today             Here today

And breathe

We have a choice

To contemplate

It’s up to us

Can’t hesitate

Welcome     To change right now

Change        Being change

Right now    Here now

And breathe