Steven Gellman is a quintessential folk singer-songwriter with "insightful original songs and homespun stories [that] provide a soul-warming folk rock respite in a busy, chilly world." (Donn B. Murphy, The National Theater) His songs tell stories of everyday life wrapped in notes that will have you humming along in a style that Billboard Magazine has described as "intensely sensitive and impressively intelligent at the same time.” 

Armed with a dime store guitar and the sheet music to Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Gellman taught himself to play with one thought in mind - he wanted to be in a rock band. But his rock n roll dreams came with a “John Denver-ish voice” (Music Monthly) and Gellman soon found his passion for folk music founding the ‘90s folk-rock trio, Diamond Rose. When the band broke up, as first bands are apt to do, Gellman struck out on his own releasing a solo, full-length album to critical acclaim. Photobook (1997) was nominated for four Washington Area Music Association Awards (the Wammies) and by The Gay/Lesbian American Music Awards (GLAMA) for Debut Album of the Year. His follow-up release, Return to Summer Lake (2000), was hailed by Billboard Magazine as “essential for fans of sensitive acoustic music.” In 2022, Gellman was a Wammie Award finalist for best folk artist. 

“Gellman’s sensitive songcraft incorporates simple but evocative slice-of-life imagery, homespun folk warmth, keen pop instincts, and crisp, first-rate musicianship.” (Taylor Guitars) Never has this been more true than on All You Need (2023), Gellman’s 10th indie release. In this follow-up to Cold Harbor (2021) - a dark, but necessary, album tackling the impact of mental illness - All You Need emerges on the other side with hope, levity, and, of course, acceptance.

Gellman has traveled near and far to perform at renowned acoustic music venues throughout the United States and Canada including the Birchmere in Alexandria, the Ark in Ann Arbor, the Blue Bird Café in Nashville, the Tin Angel in Philadelphia and Club Passim in Boston. In Washington, DC, he has performed at the venerated National Theater and the most sought after venue of all, The White House. Steven has had the honor to open shows for Dar Williams, Cheryl Wheeler, Richie Havens, Richard Shindell and Al Stewart among others.

About Steven’s Instruments

Steven writes and performs his original songs using Taylor guitars. Steven uses Elixir Strings, Kyser capos, Couch vegan guitar straps, and D&D custom guitar picks.