In 1995-1996 Steve began to phase-out his work in Toronto, as he wanted to spend more time in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Steve started to make a name for himself in his new found home, and he started working with local artists such as James Brown and Craig Roberts as well as booking himself into local venues. He would bring his pals from Toronto to join him including Gayle Ackroyd, Conrad Kipping, Dawn Duvall & Dave Pearce and stripped down versions of Blazin' Saddles.
Dave, Dawn & Steve performing in concert at The Shaw Festival's Royal George Theatre, Niagara-on-the-Lake(photo by D.S. Karr)
It turns out that he really did well and landed a regular once a month engagement at the most happening place in town, The Olde Angel Inn.
One of his new found friends was teasing him one day by saying Steve and his wife were not really "locals" yet, but just "fringe locals".
Steve thought this was a great tag and immediately had a new name for his rag tag bunch of musicians that he would bring to the Angel on his monthly appearances.
The line-up started as a duo with Steve and Eric Mahar and has since mushroomed to a four to six piece band crammed into a corner of the smokey, packed pub.
It wasn't long before Steve met up with the Drummin' Fools, a local group of drummers headed up by Penner MacKay. So drums were quickly added to the band with either Penner, Perry Quinn or Peter Griffin taking the drum stool.
Occasionally even Steve's long time drum-mate David Norris will drive out from Toronto to join the band on drums in Niagara as well. And whenever possible, Penner will augment the other drummer by playing percussion.
About a year or so later they met up with keyboard player Herb Nelson who sat in one night and fortunately for Steve, has been there ever since.
Also in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Hank Wizzens, a local blues and R&B singer put together a new band called Platypus Rex featuring Steve, Herb, Penner, Perry and guitar great Terry Aubertin. The band had developed a huge loyal following and
appears around town for special events and parties.
In the fall of 1998 Steve had to undergo open heart surgery to repair an aneurysm in his aorta and to replace his aortic valve. Less than
two months after the surgery he was back on stage at the Angel pumpin' out the tunes (Ok, sitting on a stool, and not singing yet) .
The photo below is Perry Quinn on drums, Conrad Kipping(left), Steve (centre) and Eric Mahar (right) at a one nighter barn dance just
before he went in for the surgery. They called the band that night, "The Bum Tickers". Fortunately the surgery went well so the new band name didn't stick.
