A Biography of Steve Rashid

Steve Rashid is a composer, performer, producer and recording engineer. He holds a B.A. in Music and Philosophy from Ripon College and a Masters Degree in Music Composition from Northwestern University. He has performed in many musical contexts and in many styles throughout his career. His own jazz group, "Steve Rashid and the Porkpies", was called "one of Chicago's most entertaining groups" by the Chicago Tribune. In addition, he has managed or owned a recording studio since 1981. His current studio, Woodside Avenue Music Productions, opened in 1991, out of which he began his independent record label of the same name, in 1992. He has engineered and/or produced over 50 albums for many artists and labels, spanning folk, jazz, bluegrass, gospel, country, pop and children's music.

The Woodside Avenue label, which currently includes Rashid's own solo recordings ("i will hold your tiny hand" and "Fidgety Feet") as well as those of four other artists, is focused on creating audio products for families to share. Rashid's work in the field of family entertainment has received over 20 national awards, including the Parents' Choice Gold Award, the American Library Notable Children's Recording, the Indie Award and the National Parenting Publications Gold Award. Parents' Choice said, "Singer/songwriter Steve Rashid has created a whole new musical category for kids and parents."

Rashid is also a two-time Jeff Award winner (Chicago's Tony Award), for creating the music for the musicals "Sylvia's Real Good Advice" and "The Good Times Are Killing Me." His stage and recorded work have been featured in over 15 national publications, including Billboard, Variety and The New York Times, and on broadcasts ranging from Chicago radio and television to The Today Show and the BBC.

He is a member of the American Federation of Musicians, the Association for Independent Music, and is on the Board of Governors of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.

Steve lives in Evanston, Illinois with his wife Bea and their two sons.


Family Recordings - discography

For Woodside Avenue Music Productions:

Title:
i will hold your tiny hand
Awards:
Parents' Choice Gold Award
Parents' Choice Seal of Approval
ALA Notable Children's Recording
NAPPA Gold Award
#1 in CHILD Magazine's "Kids' Audio Top 10"
Artist:
Steve Rashid
Year:
1992
Role:
Producer, arranger, engineer

Title:
When You Wish . . .
Awards:
Parents' Choice Seal of Approval
Artist:
Catherine Hall
Year:
1993
Role:
Producer, co-arranger, engineer

Title:
Fidgety Feet
Awards:
Parents' Choice Gold Award
ALA Notable Children's Recording
NAPPA Silver Honors
Booklist's "Best" List
Artist:
Steve Rashid
Year:
1994
Role:
Co-producer, co-arranger, engineer

Title:
Looking For Papito
Awards:
Parents' Choice Gold Award
NAPPA Gold Award
Artist:
Antonio Sacre
Year:
1996
Role:
Producer, arranger, engineer

Title:
Mark Twain and the Laughing River
Awards:
ALA Notable Children's Recording
Parents' Choice Gold Award
Artist:
Jim Post
Year:
1996
Role:
Producer

Title:
Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol
Awards:
AFIM Indie Award
Artist:
Tom Mula
Year:
1997
Role:
Executive producer

For Ladybug Magazine:

Title:
Choo Choo At The Zoo
Artist:
Steve Rashid
Year:
1999
Role:
Producer, arranger, engineer

For Jim Gill Music:

Title:
Jim Gill Sings the Sneezing Song
Awards:
ALA Notable Children's Recording
Parents' Choice Silver Honor
Artist:
Jim Gill
Year:
1992
Role:
Producer, arranger, engineer

Title:
Jim Gill Makes It Noisy In Boise, Idaho
Awards:
ALA Notable Children's Recording
Parents' Choice Gold Award
Artist:
Jim Gill
Year:
1996
Role:
Producer, arranger, engineer

Title:
Jim Gill Sings Do Re Mi on his Toe Leg Knee
Artist:
Jim Gill
Year:
1998
Role:
Producer, arranger, engineer

For Melody House Records

Title:
'Tis The Season
Awards:
Parents' Choice Silver Honor
Artist:
Fred Koch
Year:
1994
Role:
Co-producer, engineer

Title:
Rock The Baby
Awards:
NAPPA Gold Award
Artist:
Al Rasso
Year:
1995
Role:
Co-arranger, engineer