ABOUT THE BAND
The Steep Hollow Band delivers a soulful blend of rock, folk, gospel, blues, and country, creating a unique musical experience that resonates deeply with audiences.
- The Steep Hollow Band -
The Steep Hollow Band brings together a diverse range of musical influences to create an unforgettable live experience. Our passion for storytelling through music sets us apart, and our performances are a reflection of the deep connection we have with our art.
Meet the Band
Keith Ballasy - lead guitars, harmonica, steel guitar, and vocals
Keith Ballasy, the Steep Hollow Band leader and lead guitarist, grew up in a small town in north central Connecticut in a Christian home. Raised without a TV, Keith’s family listened to the radio and a state-of-the-art phonograph, enjoying artists like Chuck Wagon Gang, Jim Reeves, and Marty Robbins. Saturdays were spent tuning into Crazy Elmer on WEXT in Wheeling, WV, via his dad’s HAM radio. Church hymns and after-school music sessions on the stereo shaped Keith’s early musical ear. In fifth grade, Keith’s passion for guitar began. Growing up in the 60s and 70s, he was influenced by the Beatles, Three Dog Night, and more. He saved money from a paper route and mowing lawns to buy his first guitar, a beautiful sunburst dark green electric. Despite its flaws, Keith’s determination led him to learn chords and strumming patterns from a Mel Bay chord book. This marked the start of his musical journey, writing his first song with his brother and playing until his fingers bled. A defining moment came during a family trip to Illinois, where his cousin Terry introduced him to bar chords on a Gibson guitar with stacked Marshall speakers. This revelation changed everything for Keith. Camping trips with his family further fueled his love for music, as they sang folk songs around the campfire, with his mom and uncle playing harmonicas. Inspired by blues harmonica player James Cotton, Keith learned to play the harmonica by ear. In seventh grade, Keith’s musical taste shifted to blues and rock, influenced by Eric Clapton, Allman Brothers, James Cotton, Marshall Tucker, Bonnie Raitt, and BB King. He attended concerts weekly and honed his skills on an acoustic guitar and harmonicas. His favorite albums include Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon,” Allman Brothers’ “Brothers and Sisters,” Bonnie Raitt’s “Road Tested,” Little Feat’s “Waiting for Columbus,” James Cotton’s live album, and James Taylor’s greatest hits. Keith has four children and four grandchildren, with family spread across Vermont, Florida, and Connecticut. After moving to Texas, he sought a church with good biblical teaching and music. Discovering his musical talent, the church welcomed him into their musical fold, despite his initial apprehension due to having grown up in a 450 member church that sang acapella every week. Keith’s life lessons include working hard, never quitting, praying before decisions, and enjoying life. One of his goals was to build a recording studio, Stone Creek Studio, in 2021, creating a space for musicians to play and record music, leaving a lasting legacy.
Michael Brackin - guitar and vocals
Michael Brackin is a small-town country boy that grew up in a musical family from Stephenville, Texas. From an early age, he travelled with his mom and her country & western band. Michael was often on-stage holding his little guitar right next to Momma. From those early days on, Michael has always loved music and playing the guitar. While he learned to play as a young kid, he wasn’t ready to spend the time required to really learn an instrument and stopped playing. Before he knew it 20 years had passed and he was right where he was when he laid it down. By God’s providence, a few major events changed his life and rekindled a passion for music and the guitar. Michael lost his older brother, David, suddenly and unexpectedly to a rare and aggressive form of cancer. As a young man, Michael learned how precious and fleeting life is. Around this same time, Michael met Keith Ballasy at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Upon learning that Michael played the guitar, Keith told him that he should be using the gift God has given him! Then, his wife, Hannah, brought home a Fender acoustic guitar that she bought for 20 bucks. She thought this would encourage Michael to start teaching their kids to play the guitar, ha, except it was the worst guitar he had ever played. It had no pickup, the strings were way too thick, and the action was horrible. He could only tolerate this guitar for so long, until he did what anyone who hasn’t played guitar in 20 years would do, he set the Fender on a guitar stand in the corner and bought a new Taylor acoustic. While he was at it, He threw in an electric Fender Stratocaster for good measure. Some men buy Harley-Davidson’s for their mid-life crisis, Michael bought a few guitars, but whatever. That horrendous Fender guitar turned into a midlife blessing. Today, Michael couldn’t imagine not playing the guitar, serving on the Worship Team at Emmanuel, or playing with the Steep Hollow Band. Not only has music changed his life, but his family’s life as well as he enjoys playing and learning music together with his family.
Nathaniel Stockberger - drums and vocals
Nathaniel Stockberger grew up in Tomball, Texas. He attended public school and competed in martial arts for the majority of his high school career, even competing on a national and international stage for a world championship at 18. After graduating high school, Nathaniel attended university, majoring in agricultural science and minoring in horticultural science. It was during this time that he met his wife, Tara Stockberger, and they were soon married. They currently have four kids and live in South College Station. Nathaniel works in sales for a digital marketing firm. He started learning drums while playing at church 10 years ago and is self-taught. He enjoys the nonverbal communication that occurs during unscripted jam sessions with other musicians. Recently, Nathaniel discovered his singing voice and is making efforts to engage in more singing opportunities, though he acknowledges there is still room to grow in both aspects. Playing with the Steep Hollow Band is a joy for Nathaniel because of their unified purpose: bringing glory to God in all they do. He believes that all artistic ability is given from above and should be used to return praise to the giver.
Jessica Lovett - guitar and vocals
Music isn’t just a part of Jessica Lovett’s life; it’s the very heartbeat of it. Coming from a long line of musicians - from classical to rock - Jessica grew up hiding in the wings of countless rehearsals, thanks to her professional musician and choir director mother. Her musical roots run deep, with grandparents who found love through their shared passion for music - her grandpa, the lead guitarist and singer for Five Sharps and a Flat, and her grandmother, a drummer and also the alto for the girl singing group, the Four Jills. Jessica’s childhood was filled with musical discovery, exploring her grandparents’ eclectic record collection and falling in love with iconic albums like the Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” on the original LPs. Besides playing guitar and singing for the Steep Hollow Band, Jessica also plays the piano, flute, and drums. You can find out more about her novel and other writing on her sites, HomeschoolWithJoy.com and JessicaDLovett.com.
Stacey Ridenhour - vocals
Stacey Ridenhour is a lead vocalist for the Steep Hollow Band. Having grown up with a father who played as a big band jazz trombone player and having liked every kind of music from opera, to Chuck Mangione, and Pink Floyd it didn’t take long until Stacey found she had her own eclectic love of rhythm and sound. Stevie Ray Vaughn, Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, and Annie Lenox greatly influenced her love for rhythm and blues, but her trusting relationship with her Lord and savior Jesus Christ left her wondering if there would ever be a place where she might merge the soulful styles of these female vocalist with the gospel directed lyrical content she most desires to share with others… until the Steep Hollow Band came along. Thanks to the loving support of her husband, she’s enjoying every minute of the journey.
Tucker Ridenhour - bass guitar
Born and raised in Bryan, Tucker Ridenhour's bass playing is the heartbeat of Steep Hollow Band. As a freshman at Texas A&M’s College of Engineering, Tucker balances his academic pursuits with his passion for music. Proud daddy to Beau, his rambunctious Australian Shepherd, Tucker finds joy in the simple moments of life. His love for the Lord and His tender mercies shines through in every note he plays. Supported by a church community dedicated to encouraging youth in worshipful music, Tucker explored several instruments before finding his true calling with the bass. His deep, resonant tones provide the foundation for Steep Hollow Band’s unique sound, making him an indispensable part of the group.
Brian Gardner - banjo
Brian Gardner, banjo player for the Steep Hollow Band, enjoys making music with fellow believers while aiming to share the gospel and glorify God through every performance. He not only plays banjo with this band, but is a member of the worship team band at a local church and is an amazing graphic design artist. Banjo being his instrument of choice, he strives to grow his skills in both 3-finger and clawhammer styles. His hope is to use music to uplift and inspire others in faith.
Scott Socolofsky - keyboard
Scott Socolofsky started playing the piano at age 7, learning in the Classical tradition. He later played piano in church, accompanying hymns together with an organist. In high school, he joined the school jazz band, learning improvisation and jazz comping. He also gained more experience in ensemble playing and gospel improvisation while living two years in Germany, where hymns and praise music are typically written as melody with named chords. His chord voicing got a lot more interesting after reading “So Spielen Sie Bar Piano” by Simon Schott. He’s influenced by Bill Evans, Dave Brubeck, and Matt Rollins, though has far to go to reach their style and technique.
Karston Yong - guitar
Karston Yong is a current Texas A&M student majoring in Biomedical Engineering, but anytime he isn’t doing schoolwork, he’s most likely playing guitar! Karston’s musical journey started with being classically trained in piano from the age of 4 to high school, then becoming involved in playing worship piano at The Trails Church in Celina, TX, where he has played till the very present. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Karston found time to pick up the electric bass and guitar, learning songs from his biggest musical inspirations. These mainly included classic rock/metal bands such as Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, GnR, Iron Maiden, Metallica, and Megadeth, and progressive rock/metal bands like TOOL, Dream Theater, Rush, Gojira, and Porcupine Tree. When he’s got headphones on, chances are he's listening to one of those bands, J-Rock, or Madison Cunningham—or any music with great electric guitar riffs! Karston has recently departed from his metal roots by playing the country and blues in Steep Hollow Band and country rock tunes with totally serious Texas A&M legends Mama’s Little Baby Country Boys—though occasionally he’ll push out more heavy rock with his equally serious side project Spooner and the Shrimpophobe. But no matter what genre of music Karston is playing, at every time he seeks to give back to God with the gift of music and worship!