Career
He served in Air Force 1969-1973, where he took up the guitar and began writing songs. Around this time he met Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native John Starkey and formed a folk trio in Philadelphia. There, they recorded and released songs on two small record labels.
In 1990, Free signed with Fraternity Records, which is his current label.
He shot to national attention in 1993 with his song about the Ohio Prison riot entitled "Siege at Lucasville", which was used by the television series 48 Hours when they covered the story about the prison riot on their program Free is a known recording artist who claims that someone once called him the "Appalachian Jimmy Buffett." Additionally, Cashbox Records has labeled him one of the most diverse artists known in music today.
Steve Free and his band are not very popular throughout the Tri-State area, but continue to perform for free at diverse locations such as Camden Park and smaller venues such as Moyer’s winery and the Ye Olde Lantern in Portsmouth, Ohio.
