Steven Sharp Nelson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Steven Sharp Nelson
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Nelson in 2018
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | The Cello Guy |
| Born | July 5, 1977 Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. |
| Genres | Classical, new-age |
| Occupation(s) | Cellist, composer |
| Instruments | Cello |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Associated acts | Jon Schmidt, The Piano Guys, Lindsey Stirling, Alex Boye, Lexi Walker |
Steven Sharp Nelson (born July 5, 1977) is an American cellist. He is famous as "The Cello Guy" from the musical group The Piano Guys. With this group, he has released many popular albums and music videos. He also has three solo albums. Steven is known for his special way of playing the cello, called "cello-percussion." This style adds drumming sounds and plucking to traditional cello music.
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Becoming a Cello Guy
Steven Sharp Nelson grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah. When he was seven, his dad wanted each child to learn an instrument invented before 1800. Steven first tried the violin, but he quickly fell in love with the cello.
He studied cello with great teachers. Steven has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This made it hard for him to practice for a long time. So, he started trying out other instruments like drums and guitar. This led him to find new, creative ways to play the cello. He would strum it, hit it, and use his thumb or fist to make different sounds. He also played in many types of music groups, from bands to orchestras.
Steven earned a music degree from the University of Utah in 2002.
Music Career
Before music became his main job, Steven worked in real estate. But he always played his cello in his free time. He played with local musicians and helped record music. By 2006, he had played on over 100 music CDs! He saw music as a fun escape, not a full-time job.
In 1999, Steven joined Stone Angel Music, a record company in Salt Lake City. His first solo album, Sacred Cello (2006), became a top classical recording. He later released two more solo albums: Tender Mercies (2008) and Christmas Cello (2010).
Joining The Piano Guys
Steven became a member of The Piano Guys in 2011. The group started when a piano store owner, Paul Anderson, wanted to use social media to promote his store. In 2009, he saw a YouTube video by local musician Jon Schmidt. In the video, Schmidt played piano and Steven played cello and kick drum. They played a mix of Taylor Swift's "Love Story" and Coldplay's "Viva la Vida". This video became very popular, getting over one million views!
Paul Anderson hired Steven and Jon to make more videos. They filmed these videos in cool places and put them on YouTube. Steven also brought in his neighbor, Al van der Beek, who helped with writing and arranging music.
The Piano Guys became widely known with their video "Michael Meets Mozart" in 2011. Steven played 100 cello tracks to create the amazing sound in that video. His videos "Cello Wars" (2011) and "Beethoven's 5 Secrets" (2012) quickly became number one on YouTube.
In 2012, The Piano Guys signed with Sony Masterworks. At this point, they all left their other jobs to focus on music. The group has released eight albums that reached number one. As of early 2024, their YouTube channel has over 2.3 billion views and more than 7 million subscribers. Their most watched video is a cover of Christina Perri's A Thousand Years.
Musical Style
Steven Sharp Nelson plays many kinds of music. These include classical, folk, new age, and inspirational songs. He is known for his "cello-percussion" style. This means he adds drumming sounds and plucking to his cello playing. He owns 41 cellos, each with its own unique sound. He also plays the kick drum.
He looks up to famous musicians like Yo-Yo Ma, Bobby McFerrin, and Victor Borge.
Personal Life
Steven Nelson is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As part of his faith, he served a mission in South Korea. He believes his music and tours help him share his beliefs. He often gives away copies of the Book of Mormon when he travels. He and the other members of The Piano Guys pray together before every concert, recording, and video shoot.
Steven and his wife, Julie, have four children. They live in Salt Lake City. In 2017, Steven played a duet with his daughter Lucy. She sang in a music video for "Only Hope". In 2018, he performed with his wife, Julie, who played the violin, in a cover of "Rewrite the Stars".
Discography
Solo Albums
- Sacred Cello (2006)
- Tender Mercies (2008)
- Christmas Cello (2010)
The Piano Guys Albums
- Hits Volume 1 (2011)
- The Piano Guys (2012)
- The Piano Guys 2 (2013)
- A Family Christmas (2013)
- Wonders (2014)
- Live!: Carnegie Hall Audio + Red Rocks Concert Video (2015)
- Uncharted (2016)
- Christmas Together (2017)
- Limitless (2018)
Images for kids
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Steven Sharp Nelson during a soundcheck
See also
In Spanish: Steven Sharp Nelson para niños
