The Communique

Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: A&E

Steve Means performs his original compositions at Guido's Deli located on Kirkwood's Iowa City campus in early October.

IOWA CITY - With a soulful voice, lyrics full of emotional expression and the smooth sound of a six-string acoustic guitar, Steve Means performed at Guido's Deli on Kirkwood's Iowa City Campus on Oct. 6.

A regular performer at his alma mater, Ohio State University, Means makes his living by performing acoustic soul at college campuses all over the United States.

Roughly 80 percent of the songs he does are his compositions.

Means, who is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, said his passion for music began in his childhood under the instruction of his father, who played a six-string acoustic guitar in a church band.

Means smiled and chuckled when he spoke of his father. "He taught me what he knew. I kept playing, and now I teach him some things," Means said.

After graduating from Ohio State, Means moved to Nashville, Tenn., to pursue a musical career. For one year he waited tables and played music until being signed by House of Wally, a college booking agency.

Since then Means has been living his dream of playing live music all over the country.

Means said he feels blessed to be able to do what he loves and considers himself content.

The Oct. 6 show was Means' second performance at the Iowa City campus.

Jon Weih, director of Student Life for the Iowa City campus, said Means' first performance went over well.

"Several young ladies requested that he come back," Weih said.

For more information on Means and his music, visit sonicbids.com/stevemeans or www.houseofwally.com/sm.htm.

Means is also on MySpace, Twitter and Facebook.

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