Steve Blackwell

The measure of a man.

"Deep inside we know that an important part of our job is to help God bless other people by blessing them ourselves. It's just a matter of reaching out with the deepest part of ourselves." - Steve Blackwell

Who he was

When we first began thinking of ways to keep the memories and spirit of Steve alive, we thought the inspiration would come through his music, his career at Charlotte High School or the loving memories from his family and friends. To those who knew Steve each of those areas of his life represent rich legacies worth preserving. Over time and much reflection through the tears and smiles of our grief, our understanding of who Steve was grew. As we listened to what people said about Steve and read what people wrote, and shared the ways he had touched their lives, we learned. As we began sorting through his journals and notes, along with the thought seeds he scribbled on tiny pieces of paper, we learned.

Steve lived a full, rich life with many interests. His passions though, were for his family and friends, music, and his role as a teacher and mentor. To Steve, people represented God's life force on this earth. He gave his best to people and treasured what they offered him. Heart to heart and soul to soul is the way Steve loved people. His family and treasured friends were the anchor of his life.

Much of his music was inspired by Florida and his love affair with this beautiful state and its people. He loved its colorful history and wanted others to know it. He didn't want us to ignore the human rights transgressions in its history and loved singing the praises of its heroes. He treasured the natural beauty we've been blessed with and wanted us to protect it for our children. Listen to his songs and you'll understand. Steve's playfulness and humor often found its way into his music. Though his songs were mostly of a thoughtful nature, he also was known for his more irreverent works. Ukulele Madness, for example, lamented his obsession with his four-stringed muse. Michael Jackson and Pee Wee Herman earned their way into Steve's songbook through their well-publicized exploits. Many of Steve's funniest songs were one-time, impromptu gems sung to the laughter of friends around a campfire.

He was both a teacher and learner and appreciated what his students offered. Many of the students who remember him best were those who were outside the mainstream. He had a gift for making those students feel valued and respected. Steve brought the full expression of himself as a person to his work. A former student wrote: "I remember how he looked when he would play his guitar for us. It was like he was glowing from the inside out."

"Need to get out in your own backyard, Need to listen, need to feel, Need to hear what's in your own heart, Find for yourself just what is real…" -Steve Blackwell (Backyard Revolution)