Steve Azar
Encyclopedia
Stephen Thomas "Steve" Azar (born April 11, 1964 in Greenville, Mississippi
) is an American country music
artist. Azar was signed to River North Nashville in 1995, and he released his debut album on February 27, 1996. After leaving River North, Azar took time away from his music. He returned in 2002 with his biggest hit, the #2 "I Don't Have to Be Me ('Til Monday)
", which was the lead-off single from his second studio album, Waitin' on Joe
. In 2006, Azar released the single "You Don't Know a Thing". The single was supposed to be the lead-off to a third studio album, via Midas Records Nashville
. When the song failed to make the Top 40, Azar left Midas. In early-2008, he formed his own label, Dang Records, and released Indianola
in 2008 and Slide On Over Here
in 2009.
. He began writing songs at 10 years old, which led him to develop as a guitarist. Azar had his first Nashville recording session when he was 14. After high school Azar attended Delta State University
where he played show after show, including the 1984 World’s Fair in New Orleans. Mississippi native Faith Hill
remembers being at his shows as a fan in the front row. Graduating with a degree in business-management, Azar moved to Nashville in 1993, and in two days he was offered three song-publishing contracts. In 2001, Azar was able to record what he considered his first album Waitin' on Joe with Mercury Records
, which included his breakout single "I Don't Have to Be Me ('Til Monday)." Azar's hit "Waitin on Joe" was made a hit after actor Morgan Freeman
starred in the 2002 music video.
In 2006, Azar formed his own independent label, where his hit, "You Don't Know a Thing." The song was featured on his 2008 album Indianola which also included his radio single "You're My Life." Indianola reached the number one spot on XM Radio's Country Outlaw Channel. Azar's current album Slide on Over Here which was recorded with Ride Records features his current single "Hard Road" and the popular number "Moo La Moo." The music video for "Moo La Moo" stars Gary Valentine
from King of Queens who created a dance-instruction sequence for the project. The album was influenced by Azar's 2006-2007 tour with Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band. Azar's touring experience also reigns with national country music
acts including, Carrie Underwood
, Darius Rucker
, Reba McEntire
, Tim McGraw
, Hootie & The Blowfish
, and Montgomery Gentry
was released on February 27, 1996, via River North Nashville Records. The album failed to chart on the Billboard
Top Country Albums chart. It did, however, feature two charting singles on the country singles charts. The first of these, "Someday", reached #51 on the Country charts, and also charted at #65 on the RPM Country Singles Chart. The follow-up, "I Never Stopped Loving You", reached #50. After the song fell off the charts, River North closed its doors. Azar would be on a hiatus from music until 2001.
, was released on April 16, 2002, via Universal Music Group Nashville
's Mercury Records. The album charted to #29 on the Top Country Albums chart. Its lead-off single, "I Don't Have to Be Me ('Til Monday)
", was his biggest hit at #2. Following it were the #28 title track "Waitin' on Joe" and the non-charting "One Good Reason Why". He returned to touring, but by mid-2004, he needed surgery to correct a hemorrhaging cyst in his throat. After healing, he re-entered the charts in 2005 with "Doin' It Right". This song failed to reach Top 40, however, and after a Christmas single called "Catfish Christmas", Azar left Mercury.
, his third album, was first set to be released in 2006 from Midas Records Nashville
. The single, "You Don't Know a Thing", was released, but when the song failed to make the Top 40, Azar left Midas. No singles were released until 2008, when he founded his own label (Dang Records) and released the album that May. Two more singles did make the cut to radio with "I Won't Let You Lead Me Down" failing to chart and "You're My Life" debuting at #57 on the Hot Country Songs
chart on the chart week of January 17, 2009 becoming his first chart single in three years.
in 2007, Azar started writing songs for the album. A new single, "Moo La Moo", was released to radio on April 27, 2009. The song debuted at #60 on the Hot Country Songs chart for the week of June 20, 2009. It was the lead-off single to Azar's fourth studio album, Slide On Over Here
, which debuted at #57 on the Top Country Albums chart. The single peaked at #39 on the Hot Country Songs chart, becoming his first Top 40 single since "Waitin' on Joe" topped at #28 on the chart in 2002. A second single, "Sunshine", was released to radio on January 11, 2010 it peaked at #27 in October 2010 and became his highest charting hit since "Waitin' On Joe" .
^ "Someday" also peaked at number 65 on the RPM
Country Tracks chart in Canada.
Greenville, Mississippi
Greenville is a city in Washington County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 48,633 at the 2000 census, but according to the 2009 census bureau estimates, it has since declined to 42,764, making it the eighth-largest city in the state. It is the county seat of Washington...
) is an American country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist. Azar was signed to River North Nashville in 1995, and he released his debut album on February 27, 1996. After leaving River North, Azar took time away from his music. He returned in 2002 with his biggest hit, the #2 "I Don't Have to Be Me ('Til Monday)
I Don't Have to Be Me ('Til Monday)
"I Don't Have To Be Me " is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Steve Azar. It was released in October 2001 as the lead-off single from his second studio album, Waitin' on Joe, it peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, becoming Azar's...
", which was the lead-off single from his second studio album, Waitin' on Joe
Waitin' on Joe
Waitin' on Joe is the title of a studio album by country music artist Steve Azar. It was released in 2002 on Mercury Nashville Records as the second album of his career, six years after his debut album Heartbreak Town. Waitin' on Joe features the singles "I Don't Have to be Me " and "Waitin' on Joe"...
. In 2006, Azar released the single "You Don't Know a Thing". The single was supposed to be the lead-off to a third studio album, via Midas Records Nashville
Midas Records Nashville
Midas Records is an American independent record label specializing in country music and contemporary Christian music. It was founded in August 2005 by Ron Clapper, Keith Follesé and Brad Allen. The label partnered with New Revolution not long after opening...
. When the song failed to make the Top 40, Azar left Midas. In early-2008, he formed his own label, Dang Records, and released Indianola
Indianola (album)
Indianola is the third studio album by American country music artist Steve Azar. His first studio album since Waitin' on Joe from six years previous, it was initially to have been released in April 2006 on Midas Records Nashville, the same year that its lead-off single "You Don't Know a Thing"...
in 2008 and Slide On Over Here
Slide On Over Here
Slide On Over Here is the fourth studio album by American country music artist Steve Azar. It was released on August 4, 2009 via Ride Records. The album includes the singles "Moo La Moo", which charted in the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and "Sunshine," which peaked at #27.The...
in 2009.
Biography
Azar grew up in Greenville, MississippiGreenville, Mississippi
Greenville is a city in Washington County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 48,633 at the 2000 census, but according to the 2009 census bureau estimates, it has since declined to 42,764, making it the eighth-largest city in the state. It is the county seat of Washington...
. He began writing songs at 10 years old, which led him to develop as a guitarist. Azar had his first Nashville recording session when he was 14. After high school Azar attended Delta State University
Delta State University
Delta State University, also known as DSU, is a regional public university located in Cleveland, Mississippi, United States, in the heart of the Mississippi Delta...
where he played show after show, including the 1984 World’s Fair in New Orleans. Mississippi native Faith Hill
Faith Hill
Faith Hill is an American country singer. She is known both for her commercial success and her marriage to fellow country star Tim McGraw. Hill has sold more than 40 million records worldwide and accumulated eight number-one singles and three number-one albums on the U.S...
remembers being at his shows as a fan in the front row. Graduating with a degree in business-management, Azar moved to Nashville in 1993, and in two days he was offered three song-publishing contracts. In 2001, Azar was able to record what he considered his first album Waitin' on Joe with Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
, which included his breakout single "I Don't Have to Be Me ('Til Monday)." Azar's hit "Waitin on Joe" was made a hit after actor Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman is an American actor, film director, aviator and narrator. He is noted for his reserved demeanor and authoritative speaking voice. Freeman has received Academy Award nominations for his performances in Street Smart, Driving Miss Daisy, The Shawshank Redemption and Invictus and won...
starred in the 2002 music video.
In 2006, Azar formed his own independent label, where his hit, "You Don't Know a Thing." The song was featured on his 2008 album Indianola which also included his radio single "You're My Life." Indianola reached the number one spot on XM Radio's Country Outlaw Channel. Azar's current album Slide on Over Here which was recorded with Ride Records features his current single "Hard Road" and the popular number "Moo La Moo." The music video for "Moo La Moo" stars Gary Valentine
Gary Valentine
Gary Valentine is an American actor and comedian. He is the older brother of actor Kevin James.-Career:Gary was featured in the movie Comedian, and appeared as Doug Heffernan's cousin Danny on the television show The King of Queens. He's featured in the film Velocity Rules...
from King of Queens who created a dance-instruction sequence for the project. The album was influenced by Azar's 2006-2007 tour with Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band. Azar's touring experience also reigns with national country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
acts including, Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood
Carrie Marie Underwood is an American country singer-songwriter and actress who rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol, in 2005...
, Darius Rucker
Darius Rucker
Darius Rucker is an American musician. He first gained fame as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Hootie & the Blowfish, which he founded in 1986 at the University of South Carolina along with Mark Bryan, Jim "Soni" Sonefeld and Dean Felber...
, Reba McEntire
Reba McEntire
Reba Nell McEntire is an American country music artist and actress. She began her career in the music industry as a high school student singing in the Kiowa High School band , on local radio shows with her siblings, and at rodeos. As a solo act, she was invited to perform at a rodeo in Oklahoma...
, Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw
Samuel Timothy "Tim" McGraw is an American country singer and actor. Many of McGraw's albums and singles have topped the country music charts with total album sales in excess of 40 million units in the US, making him the eighth best-selling artist, and the third best-selling country singer, in the...
, Hootie & The Blowfish
Hootie & the Blowfish
Hootie & the Blowfish is an American rock band that enjoyed popularity in the second half of the 1990s. They were originally formed in 1986 at the University of South Carolina by Darius Rucker, Dean Felber, Jim Sonefeld, and Mark Bryan. The band has recorded five studio albums to date, and has...
, and Montgomery Gentry
Montgomery Gentry
Montgomery Gentry is an American country music duo composed of vocalists Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry. The two began performing in the 1990s as part of a band which also included Eddie Montgomery's brother John Michael Montgomery, and founded the existing duo in 1999.Signed to Columbia Records,...
Heartbreak Town
Azar's debut album, Heartbreak TownHeartbreak Town
Heartbreak Town is the debut album of American country music artist Steve Azar. Released on River North Records in 1996, it features the singles "Someday" and "I Never Stopped Loving You", which peaked at #51 and #50, respectively, on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts that year...
was released on February 27, 1996, via River North Nashville Records. The album failed to chart on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Top Country Albums chart. It did, however, feature two charting singles on the country singles charts. The first of these, "Someday", reached #51 on the Country charts, and also charted at #65 on the RPM Country Singles Chart. The follow-up, "I Never Stopped Loving You", reached #50. After the song fell off the charts, River North closed its doors. Azar would be on a hiatus from music until 2001.
Waitin' on Joe
His second studio album, Waitin' on JoeWaitin' on Joe
Waitin' on Joe is the title of a studio album by country music artist Steve Azar. It was released in 2002 on Mercury Nashville Records as the second album of his career, six years after his debut album Heartbreak Town. Waitin' on Joe features the singles "I Don't Have to be Me " and "Waitin' on Joe"...
, was released on April 16, 2002, via Universal Music Group Nashville
Universal Music Group Nashville
Universal Music Group Nashville is Universal Music Group's country music subsidiary. Some of the labels in this group include MCA Nashville Records, Mercury Nashville Records, and Lost Highway Records...
's Mercury Records. The album charted to #29 on the Top Country Albums chart. Its lead-off single, "I Don't Have to Be Me ('Til Monday)
I Don't Have to Be Me ('Til Monday)
"I Don't Have To Be Me " is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Steve Azar. It was released in October 2001 as the lead-off single from his second studio album, Waitin' on Joe, it peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, becoming Azar's...
", was his biggest hit at #2. Following it were the #28 title track "Waitin' on Joe" and the non-charting "One Good Reason Why". He returned to touring, but by mid-2004, he needed surgery to correct a hemorrhaging cyst in his throat. After healing, he re-entered the charts in 2005 with "Doin' It Right". This song failed to reach Top 40, however, and after a Christmas single called "Catfish Christmas", Azar left Mercury.
Indianola
IndianolaIndianola (album)
Indianola is the third studio album by American country music artist Steve Azar. His first studio album since Waitin' on Joe from six years previous, it was initially to have been released in April 2006 on Midas Records Nashville, the same year that its lead-off single "You Don't Know a Thing"...
, his third album, was first set to be released in 2006 from Midas Records Nashville
Midas Records Nashville
Midas Records is an American independent record label specializing in country music and contemporary Christian music. It was founded in August 2005 by Ron Clapper, Keith Follesé and Brad Allen. The label partnered with New Revolution not long after opening...
. The single, "You Don't Know a Thing", was released, but when the song failed to make the Top 40, Azar left Midas. No singles were released until 2008, when he founded his own label (Dang Records) and released the album that May. Two more singles did make the cut to radio with "I Won't Let You Lead Me Down" failing to chart and "You're My Life" debuting at #57 on the Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
chart on the chart week of January 17, 2009 becoming his first chart single in three years.
Slide On Over Here
After touring with Bob SegerBob Seger
Robert Clark "Bob" Seger is an American rock and roll singer-songwriter, guitarist and pianist.As a locally successful Detroit-area artist, he performed and recorded as Bob Seger and the Last Heard and Bob Seger System throughout the 1960s...
in 2007, Azar started writing songs for the album. A new single, "Moo La Moo", was released to radio on April 27, 2009. The song debuted at #60 on the Hot Country Songs chart for the week of June 20, 2009. It was the lead-off single to Azar's fourth studio album, Slide On Over Here
Slide On Over Here
Slide On Over Here is the fourth studio album by American country music artist Steve Azar. It was released on August 4, 2009 via Ride Records. The album includes the singles "Moo La Moo", which charted in the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and "Sunshine," which peaked at #27.The...
, which debuted at #57 on the Top Country Albums chart. The single peaked at #39 on the Hot Country Songs chart, becoming his first Top 40 single since "Waitin' on Joe" topped at #28 on the chart in 2002. A second single, "Sunshine", was released to radio on January 11, 2010 it peaked at #27 in October 2010 and became his highest charting hit since "Waitin' On Joe" .
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | US Heat Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
||
| Heartbreak Town Heartbreak Town Heartbreak Town is the debut album of American country music artist Steve Azar. Released on River North Records in 1996, it features the singles "Someday" and "I Never Stopped Loving You", which peaked at #51 and #50, respectively, on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts that year... |
|
— | — |
| Waitin' on Joe Waitin' on Joe Waitin' on Joe is the title of a studio album by country music artist Steve Azar. It was released in 2002 on Mercury Nashville Records as the second album of his career, six years after his debut album Heartbreak Town. Waitin' on Joe features the singles "I Don't Have to be Me " and "Waitin' on Joe"... |
Universal Music Group Nashville Universal Music Group Nashville is Universal Music Group's country music subsidiary. Some of the labels in this group include MCA Nashville Records, Mercury Nashville Records, and Lost Highway Records... |
29 | 31 |
| Indianola Indianola (album) Indianola is the third studio album by American country music artist Steve Azar. His first studio album since Waitin' on Joe from six years previous, it was initially to have been released in April 2006 on Midas Records Nashville, the same year that its lead-off single "You Don't Know a Thing"... |
|
— | — |
| Slide On Over Here Slide On Over Here Slide On Over Here is the fourth studio album by American country music artist Steve Azar. It was released on August 4, 2009 via Ride Records. The album includes the singles "Moo La Moo", which charted in the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and "Sunshine," which peaked at #27.The... |
|
57 | — |
| Delta Soul: Volume 1 |
|
— | — |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | |||
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions |
Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
|||
| 1996 | "Someday"[A] | 51 | — | Heartbreak Town |
| "I Never Stopped Loving You" | 50 | — | ||
| "Nights Like This" | — | — | ||
| 2001 | "I Don't Have to Be Me ('til Monday) I Don't Have to Be Me ('Til Monday) "I Don't Have To Be Me " is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Steve Azar. It was released in October 2001 as the lead-off single from his second studio album, Waitin' on Joe, it peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, becoming Azar's... " |
2 | 35 | Waitin' on Joe |
| 2002 | "Waitin' on Joe" | 28 | — | |
| 2003 | "One Good Reason Why" | — | — | |
| 2005 | "Doin' It Right" | 47 | — | Non-album song |
| 2006 | "You Don't Know a Thing" | 49 | — | Indianola |
| 2008 | "I Won't Let You Lead Me Down" | — | — | |
| 2009 | "You're My Life" | 52 | — | |
| "Moo La Moo" | 39 | — | Slide On Over Here | |
| 2010 | "Sunshine (Everybody Needs a Little)" | 27 | — | |
| 2011 | "Hard Road" | — | — | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | ||||
^ "Someday" also peaked at number 65 on the RPM
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
Country Tracks chart in Canada.
Other charted songs
| Year | Single | Peak positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
|||
| 2006 | "Catfish Christmas" | 53 | digital Christmas single |
Music videos
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | "Someday" | Steven R. Monroe |
| "I Never Stopped Loving You" | Chris Rogers | |
| 2001 | "I Don't Have to Be Me ('Til Monday)" | Eric Welch |
| 2002 | "Waitin' on Joe" | Steven Goldmann Steven Goldmann Steven Goldmann is a Canadian music video and film director. He has directed over 200 music videos. Goldmann also directed the movies Broken Bridges and Trailer Park of Terror, and has additionally directed several television programs.-1990-1999:... |
| 2005 | "Catfish Christmas" | Steven L. Weaver |
| 2006 | "You Don't Know a Thing" | Peter Zavadil Peter Zavadil Peter Zavadil is a music video director who works primarily in the field of country music. He has directed many music videos since the late 1990s.-Music videos directed:109 music videos are currently listed here.-References:... |
| 2007 | "Dancin' in the Clouds" (with Namrata Singh Gujral Namrata Singh Gujral Namrata Singh Gujral born 26 February 1976 is an American actress.She is of Sikh faith and Indian as well as Tibetan descent. She was born in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh and is a 1998 graduate from the University of West Florida.-Roles:... ) |
|
| 2009 | "Moo La Moo" | Eric Welch |
| "Moo La Moo" (dance video) | ||
| 2010 | "Sunshine (Everybody Needs a Little)" | |