Best Known For:
His sudden rise to fame and fortune after years on the road.
Early-life:
Born Steven Gene Wold in 1941 in California, to a boogie-woogie pianist father. Steve learned to play blues guitar from a man who worked at his grandfather's garage. At 13, he left home to avoid his abusive stepfather, and lived rough and on the road. He would travel long distances by freight trains, looking for work. During this time he had numerous jobs, including as a cowboy.
Career:
Wold spent decades on the road as a jobbing musician, roadie, recording engineer and producer, making friends with many well-known musicians. At one time, living in Paris, Wold made his living busking, mostly on the metro. His debut solo album, Dog House Music, was released by Bronzerat Records on 26 November 2006, after he was championed by an old friend. He made his UK TV debut on Jools Holland's Annual Hootenanny later that year, and was an instant hit. He toured early in 2008, playing in various venues and festivals in the UK, before his major-label debut, I Started Out With Nothin and I Still Got Most of it Left, became a global smash and turned him into a household name.
Quote:
'I can't believe it, all of the sudden I'm like the cat's meow!'
Trivia:
In 2014, he played a benefit concert in support of the Dogs Trust at the Royal Albert Hall.