Steven Briggs, President

Steven’s passion for music began with Grandpa, who loved Joe Maphis, Jim Reeves, Chet Atkins and, of course, Lawrence Welk (that “Champagne Lady,” wow!).  He got his first guitar for Christmas at age 14 (from Grandpa), and has never looked back.

His early interests included Burl Ives, the Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul & Mary, The Limelighters, and even Rick Nelson.  Then one fateful night on a date with Linda Spinelli (hello Linda, if you’re out there somewhere) at the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach, he heard The Greenbriar Boys.  It only took about two John Herald G-runs and the hook was set.

A short time later (somewhere in the 1960s --- who remembers those years precisely?) Steven met Ron LeGrand, banjo player with “The Fly-By-Night Fleabags.”  Ron sold him his first Martin D-28, and the two of them “commenced to pickin.”  They soon formed “Wild Oats,” which played regularly at Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Magic Mountain, and other large venues --- even opening the televised Country Music Awards in the mid-70s.  Their acclaimed (well, er, “noticed” anyway) long play album (that’s right, an LP) “Country + Bluegrass = Wild Oats” on Alshire Records (the famous “101 Strings” label) may still be found in dusty record bins nationwide.  Along the way he met legendary fiddler Byron Berline, who took him on the road for some state fair gigs with banjoist Herb Pedersen (Desert Rose Band) and bassist Roger Bush (Kentucky Colonels).

Fast forward to the 1980s.  Steven was lead singer and guitarist in “Pickaway,” a busy Milwaukee bluegrass band.  One of his most popular vocals in those years was “Blue Night,” a soaring lament written by “His Billness,” the “Father of Bluegrass,” Bill Monroe.

Somewhere in all of this Steven stumbled through college a couple of times, ultimately earning (stealing?) a Ph.D. in Industrial Relations.  He has two day jobs --- one as a Professor in DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, the other as a labor arbitrator and mediator.  For a couple of years he sang tenor with the barbershop quartet “Sound Decision” (you guessed it, they were all arbitrators).  He still plays gigs, having moved into acoustic jazz, swing, and blues.  Steven can still be found playing the “hard grass,” though.

Most importantly, he is married to the lovely Barbara, is the proud father of Amy Rogers, and is the adoptive parent of Peek-A-Boo and Patches, the best cats in the world.

Steve Rashid, Engineer & Producer

Steve engineered and co-produced About Time. He is a composer and performer (piano, trumpet, harmonica) as well. 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 and pop 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.

Jeff Perlstein, Graphic Designer

Blue Night Records’ Art Director Jeff Perlstein is a graduate of the University of Illinois advertising program.  He currently resides in Chicago and works as a Senior Art Director for a downtown advertising agency. He is also a musician on the rise with his band "The
Plastic Thirds," soon to release its highly anticipated concept album "Anoxia.”  For more information check out www.theplasticthirds.com.

Jeff is our graphic designer of choice.  His work can be seen on “Unseasonably Cool” (BNR-215); “Angel Eyes” (BNR-216); “By George” (BNR-217); “Further Adventures” (BNR-218); and the soon-to-be-released “Home Cookin’” (BNR-219).  With any luck (ours, not necessarily his), Jeff Perlstein will be our Art Director for years to come.