Steven Sproat
| Steven Sproat | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Steven Edward Sproat |
| Born |
18 November 1960 Lanchester, Durham, England |
| Origin | Coleford, Gloucestershire, England |
| Genres | Gospel, Christian pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, ukulelist, guitarist |
| Instruments | vocals, ukulele, guitar |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Website |
stevensproat |
Steven Edward Sproat (born 18 November 1960) is an English ukulelist and Christian musician, who plays a Christian pop style of gospel music. He has released eight studio albums, Straight Down the Line (1989), There's More to Life (1993), So Far so Good (1999), Coming to My Senses (1999), Tomorrow's Road (2004), Acer Glade (2007), Full Circle (2011), and Fruit for the Soul (2016).
Early life
Steven Edward Sproat was born on 18 November 1960,[1] in Lanchester, Durham, England, where his father imparted a sense and imbued a love of music upon his son, while his mother had a friend involved in the Salvationist movement, instilling some religious nature in his youth. He tried his hand at the cornet, but quickly abandoned the instrument in his youth before taking up the ukulele. His father constantly played George Formby cassettes while on trips with him, who was a banjoist and ukulelist, giving him the basis for learning the ukulele, and becoming proficient in playing the instrument before graduation from tertiary education. Sproat became a member of the George Fromby Society during the 1970s, surrounding himself by other likeminded musicians. He started playing the guitar after graduating school, when he was 18 years-old, leaving the ukulele aside for quite a while because he felt the instrument was antiquated. His songwriting began in 1985, when he was in his mid-twenties.[2][3][4][5][6]
Music career
His music recording career commenced in 1988, with his first studio album, ''Straight Down the Line, releasing in 1989. He has since released seven more studio albums, There's More to Life in 1993, So Far so Good in 1999, Coming to My Senses in 1999, in Tomorrow's Road in 2004, Acer Glade in 2007, Full Circle in 2011, and Fruit for the Soul in 2016.[7][8]
Author
He eventually authored multiple books about playing the ukulele, the first entitled, Starting Ukulele, in 2007. Sproat second books was titled, Absolute Beginners - Ukulele, in 2009.[2][3]
Personal life
Sproat was married to a woman who was a member of The New Romantics, that he met in Bournemouth, England, however this marriage ultimately ended in divorce.[2]
Discography
- Studio albums
- Straight Down the Line (1989)
- There's More to Life (1993)
- So Far so Good (1999)
- Coming to My Senses (1999)
- Tomorrow's Road (2004)
- Acer Glade (2007)
- Full Circle (2011)
- Fruit for the Soul (2016)
References
- ↑ Mars Hill Management Company (1 September 2010). "Director". Companydb.uk. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- 1 2 3 Cummings, Tony (4 April 2016). "Steven Sproat: The singer, songwriter and almost-famous man". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- 1 2 McKormack, Candia (15 March 2016). "Interview with renowned singer songwriter and ukulele expert Steven Sproat". Cotswold Life. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- ↑ Staff (3 June 2011). "Ukuleles too popular says top player Steven Sproat". BBC News. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- ↑ Jones, Aled (6 November 2011). "Steven Sproat Live". Good Morning Sunday. BBC Radio 2. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- ↑ Hasted, Michael (17 March 2016). "STEVEN SPROAT in the Everyman Studio, Cheltenham". Stage Talk Magazine. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- ↑ Cross Rhythms. "Steven Sproat Artist Profile man". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- ↑ Parford, Lucy (14 March 2016). "Singer and ukulele player Steven Sproat showcases new album, Fruit for the Soul, in Cheltenham". Gloucestershire Echo. Retrieved 4 April 2016.