Steve began playing the Tenor Horn at the age of 11 with BMW Brass in his home town of Wirksworth in Derbyshire. In 1980 he joined the Matlock Band where he enjoyed two years until joining Rhodian Brass in 1982 on Solo Horn a position he held for 17 years.

Steve was also Band Manager for 14 of the 17 - year relationship. During this time Steve enjoyed Significant contest success qualifying for the National Finals in the Championship section 5 years out of 7, the British Open Championship and the All England Masters, plus tours to France, Holland, Germany and Belgium. November 1999saw his departure to the Marple Band for a period of six months before joining Ransome in July 2000.