Now, 1979, out of work, tired of the road work and the band politics, Steve finally broke down and took on a day job answering phones and typing at the family business. (He is still there, only now he is his own boss and running the company.)

However, the day job never stopped him from his passion for music and performing with other musicians. While playing with Nancy Ryan he met up with a fiddler, guitarist named Conrad Kipping. Conrad had a western swing band called Kicking Bird and when bassplayer Henry Heillig had to leave to start his own band Manteca, Steve was quickly recruited. It was in Kicking Bird the Steve met up with guitarist Daryl Pendrith and keyboardist Gary MacMillan.

At the same time a popular country singer and former cattle auctioneer, named Rick Johnson, who was also a fan of the players in Nancy Ryan's hot band started calling on Steve for one nighters all over Ontario and West Virginia. Steve continued to work with Rick for at least five long years until "asleep at the wheel" almost became a reality. It was time to quit the roadwork and late night drives.

The first Black Creek Reunion at Rick Johnson's annual County Jamboree 1978 - Frank Barth, Mark Haines, Dave Pearce & Steve

Later that year he joined up with some new musicians, Blair Packham and drummer Victoria Wilcox (the Canadian David Wilcox's little sister) to form SENSIBLE SHOES, which performed for a while in Toronto clubs. Later an old friend of Black Creek, Barb Duggan joined up and the band name changed to FORMULA ONE. They spent the next year working six nighters in the dives on Danforth Ave. in Toronto and getting up for work the next day. Yikes. Oh to be young.

Several guitarists (Marty Posen, Stuart Ross) later, Kicking Bird alumni Daryl Pendrith and Gary MacMillan joined up and the band became GOLDIE LOX AND THE BAGELS and incorporated Barb and Steve's original tunes as well as cover tunes by Little Feat, Sam & Dave and other R&B favourites. No longer a country folkie, Steve was a growling, wailing R&B singer and the gigs evolved to the upper end "original music" bars in the downtown core. (The Edge, The El Mocambo, The Hotel Isabella...)

At the same time as Goldie Lox and the Bagels was falling apart, fromer Black Creek drummer, Jayce Ford reappeared in Steve's life and they put together a new band called "BAD SNEAKERS" which later evolved into "ELEPAHNTS GERALD" with keyboardist Gary MacMillan and guitar great, Daryl Pendrith. In this band they covered more R&B, Little Feat, Steely Dan and also went back to their country roots a bit. This band played for about a year.

"BAD SNEAKERS" Posing for promo shots - Stuart Ross, Gary MacMillan, Jacye Ford and Steve (T-shirt says; "Disco Still Sucks") with mascots Barney Beagle and Skybie (RIP)

In 1984, a Black Creek Reunion was organized for one Sunday night at a polular bar in Toronto called Thank Goodness it's Friday. Featuring all the original alumni, Steve, Mark Haines, Dave Pearce, Pinapple Frank Barth and Marty Posen, the show was a big hit and an emotional high for all involved. It was decided to keep it up and the Black Creek Reunion band was formed featuring Steve, Dave, Jayce and Frank.

The New Black Creek performed around the city for several years and had some memorable dates culminating in the "big-band" shows at Harbourfront. The band disbanded again in 1988 due to other personal commitments.