Moser musicians in Nashville
Steve, left, and Jesse Moser recently stepped into the stage lights at The Crossroads bar located on Broadway Street in Nashville. (Photo submitted)
By Caroline Rosacker
Music has always been part of Steve Moser's life. He began playing the drums at the tender age of four, and he first stepped onto the stage with his father's band, The Sounds of Nashville, at age seven.
Moser fondly remembers learning to play the guitar at his father's side.
Moser and his son, Jesse, both musically gifted, have never had any formal musical training. Neither artist is able to read music.
Jesse stated, "I had a little training in school when I took up playing the trumpet, and I can also read tabs."
These two talented men perform in a variety of bands.
Steve began playing seriously with The Sounds of Nashville when he was 15. He played with his dad's band for 28 years.
He started the band Pizzin in the Wind 15 years ago and has played with his other musical interest, Triple Threat, for the past six years.
Steve plays the drums, bass and lead guitar and the mandolin.
Jesse's professional involvement in music began at age 15 in his father's band Pizzin In the Wind. He has played professionally for 8 years and been involved in his own band Rocktide, and the Triple Threat trio with his father and the talented Scott Fischer.
Jesse plays bass, guitar, drums, mandolin, the ukulele and trumpet.
Jesse has been involved with the Elkader Opera House Players. He has performed in the musicals, Copacabana, Thoroughly Modern Millie (where he played the lead male role) and Shrek the Musical. He also performed in the play Moon Over Buffalo.
Both men are involved with the band nearest and dearest to their heart, The Moser Family Band, which brings in Steve's wife, Cindy, and their daughters, Nicole and Jenna. The sweet harmonious sound of this gospel-singing family has rung the rafters during many indoor and outdoor church services throughout Clayton County.
The Mosers' involvement with all these musical ensembles takes up a considerable amount of time.
"It never feels like work when you love what you're doing," states Steve.
As seamless as their performances appear, neither musician has a plan when they step onto the stage.
"Whatever gets in my head makes it down to my fingers. I never have a set plan," said Steve.
The band members involved with the Mosers communicate through the Nashville Number System. This technique uses numbers to represent musical keys. This is a confusing system to the layman, but to the performer it's a quick, efficient way to communicate on stage.
The Moser men recently enjoyed a trip to Nashvill, Tenn.
The neon lights of the famous Broadway Street, filled with honky-tonk establishments, was the family's first stop.
"The first night we just sat back and enjoyed ourselves, but the following night we got up on the big stage to perform with the headliner band," said Steve.
Nashville is an open door to performers from all walks of life. Invitations to jam with the band are commonplace when you know the right people.
The Mosers were grateful to Brett Willie's wife who introduced them to the band. The Mosers became involved with Brett and Brian Willie through their connection to Johnny Rogers, who has a Buddy Holly impersonation act. "When Johnny is in the area, we join in and perform with him," said Steve.
They described their Nashville performance as exhilarating and lesson-learning.
Steve commented after their recent trip, "Those performers have so much talent. It makes you humble real fast. I didn't know whether I should burn my guitar when I got home and quit, or start practicing and work harder."
Jesse walked away from the experience with this philosophy. "There is no point in your life where you think you're going to be great and stop learning. There is always more work to be done," he commented.
Both musicians remember the famous words from Steve's late father Rich: "When you think you're really good, that's when you stop improving."
