My Bio

After serving 30 years as Minister of Music for the NorCal GMWA Chapter Choir led by legendary Dr. Helen J.H. Stephens, Steven was elected to the GMWA Int’l board of directors in 2007. He took the reins of GMWA Norcal Chapter leadership when Dr. Stephens retired in 2011. He was officially installed at the annual convention in Nashville, TN in July, 2011.

A self-taught musician, Steven 1^st took interest in music while playing the piano as his mother sang gospel hymns & pearls around their home. Raised in an Apostolic-Pentecostal home, his musical learning was influenced by Dr. Charles Watkins, James Cleveland, Mattie Moss Clarke and local gospel musicians: Ernest Jackson, Henderson brothers, Willie Coleman, Raynard ”Chuck” Webb, Ed Hawkins, Henry Jackson to name a few. At 12, Steven became one of the pianists at his home church: 1^st Pentecostal Church of San Francisco. Soon he was studying jazz styles of great musicians: Art Tatum, Miles Davis, Wes Montgomery, The Duke, Pharaoh Sanders, Jimmy Smith & McGriff and many others. However, his 1^st love and interest was always gospel music and the people who wrote, performed and produced it. Years later, after becoming pianist for the All Nations Pentecostal Church in Tracy CA (where Steven’s father was pastor), consistent musical growth came by listening to and playing piano with every gospel music record he could get his hands on. As Steven matured spiritually, biblical passages worked their way into his piano playing, soon the gift of gospel songwriting was born. In 1980 Rev James Cleveland was in Oakland CA., conducting a workshop and at the suggestion of Dr Helen Stephens and Ms Fran Harden, took time to hear some of Steven’s songs. Cleveland invited Steven to attend GMWA in Philly 1980 and introduce a song to the Mass Choir. That was the invitation that would change his life. Within a few years Steven entered and won 1^st place songwriter prize in three consecutive songwriting competitions (American Song Festival-82’, Music City Song Festival-83’ and International Song Festival-84’). This led to 7-year writer-publisher-partnership with Sound of Gospel Record Company. In the latter part of 1982, he organized SR (pronounced CZAR) Music Publishing Company. SR Music Publishing Co today is still owned and operated by Steven. These events gave Steven a voice at the table and access to gospel music recording artists and producers.

In 1992 in Chicago, IL., Steven was recipient with Dr Margaret Douroux of a special songwriting recognition plaque from GMWA for having most songs presented and recorded by the GMWA Mass Choir.

Steven has enjoyed being a gospel music clinician and musician traveling the U.S. and the world conducting workshops, symposiums, festivals, seminars- sharing gospel music where and when opportunities arise. He has developed friendships, fellowships and favor with many people, many cultures and many houses of Faith in America, Europe and Japan. His music scores are constantly requested by religious and educational institutions in the U.S. and from foreign countries. Steven is the recipient of more than 150 awards- including 6-keys–to-cities, 23-Northern California gospel academy awards, 2 U.S. congressional recognition awards and many other national merits and honors.

In 1995 Steven was selected by the state of Oklahoma, as the Inspirational music consultant to aid and assist survivors and victims of the Alfred P. Murrah Bldg bombing in Oklahoma City. His assignment was to encourage, inspire, support and share uplifting gospel music- themed “Singing for Joy”. This was a challenging yet rewarding experience. God’s presence was felt in each music session as more than 250 participants came to be lifted with inspirational songs, messages and memories during this week of reflection, reclamation and recovery. 

Steven Roberts has written more than 350 songs (two on Grammy nominated albums)More than 100 of his publications have been recorded by gospel, jazz and secular artists. The music personalities he’s worked with are too numerous to name. Most importantly Steven cheerfully shares the message of Jesus through music because of God’s great faithfulness, unfailing mercy and lovingkindness. In 2004 he was awarded the prestigious Honorary Doctorate Degree from Bell Theological Seminary.

Today Steven is a member of the Grace Community Church formally the 1^st Pentecostal Church (San Francisco CA), Minister of Music of Pilgrim Baptist Church (San Mateo CA)Chapter Representative of Northern California GMWA Chapter, Director of the James Cleveland Gospel Chorus Int’l, Administrative Assistant of GMWA Mass Choir and serves as a GMWA Board of Directors member.

Steven’s calling is to spread the good news of Jesus. Encourage, inspire and include every nationality with the word of hope, help and healing in Jesus Christ. He is grateful and thankful to his gone-but-not-forgotten “belated” parents to whom he esteems and owes high honor. 

My message about me to all:

“I am the beneficiary of my parents’ benevolence to God. Their parental direction, correction and nurturing led me spiritually and shaped me musically. They loved me, supported me and never fenced me in religiously, denominationally or musically. Their support helped me hear and accept the call of God on my life.

My message about God to all:

“God can take a small bit of talent, a large cup of faith and availability, pour on His anointing, stir with His spoon of love and that cup will overflow”.  Selah.