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PETE [stringfellow]
Santa Rosa, California, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
Pete Stringfellow’s smile looks like your little brother’s face when he’s about to drop a water balloon on your head. Yet behind this country music singer’s mischievous grin, you’ll find a multi-talented, revolutionary artist who doesn’t limit himself to just one branch of the entertainment world.
Although country music is his passion, Stringfellow has dabbled in hip-hop, R & B, and other genres. While a student at Piner High School, he was part of a hip-hop band called “2 Soul Solo,” as well as an R & B group called “The Cali Boyz.” His hip-hop song “Shada Boxa,” (with Jason Beltz), has appeared in multiple Hollywood productions, most notably “Meet the Parents.” His interests eventually transitioned to country music, shocking those who knew him for his involvement with the R & B and hip hop scene. “How do I not do country music?” asked Stringfellow, who was raised by rancher parents.
Stringfellow joins other modern country music artists who are changing the face of country music. No longer a world of “Loretta Lynn” types — those born and raised in the deep South — the new country sound branches out with artists who feature a unique mixture of rock, blues and pop. Take Dierks Bentley, who hails from Phoenix, Ariz., or Aussie import Keith Urban, who made having a foreign accent in country music sexy, and then there’s Stringfellow himself, whose California roots add their own twang to his guitar.
Stringfellow’s inspiration for writing songs comes from unusual things. “The song usually chooses me,” Stringfellow says. Not only does a song “choose” him, he also receives the inspiration through a unique outlet: dreams. “I’ll have dreams of a song on the radio and I’ll wake up, remember it and write it,” Stringfellow says. “I wrote ‘The Flame’s Out but I’m Still Getting Burned,’ that way.” Music has always been his life’s goal.
“There was never a question [that it] was what I wanted to do,” Stringfellow says. His family always jokes that he started playing music when he was just 6 months old. When he was 2 years old, his Grandmother noticed his musical talent and enrolled him in to a music class that introduced him to piano.
Stringfellow took to it, and to this day says he is still most proficient on piano. When he was 11 he got his first drum set, a trip he remembers as: “The best day of my life!” It wasn’t until his senior year of high school, when his interests moved towards country music, that he picked up the guitar.
Stringfellow was conceived in Bogota, Columbia. His mother was just 16 years old when she discovered she was pregnant, and her family gave her an ultimatum. In a letter they told her to “give this baby away or put it in a garbage can.” The young mother traveled all the way to Hermosillo, Mexico, where Stringfellow was born on June 3, 1972. It was from Mexico that his parents adopted him and brought him back to California.
He was an only child until his parents adopted his older brother from the Phillipines when he was just 3 ½. They were later joined by their youngest brother, also adopted from Mexico. Stringfellow’s parents were active in the community, owning a dairy off of Shiloh Road in Windsor that sold milk to Clover Stornetta.
Stringfellow’s mother was also a teacher at the Steele Lane Elementary School, and for a time was president of the Santa Rosa Teacher’s Association. Some of his favorite memories include playing with his cousins on the ranch, which he reminisces about in his song, “Santa Rosa”: “We’d ride our bikes in the summer heat/ hunt’n craw-dads in the county creek/then hit the hay barn/to play ‘hide and seek.’”
After graduating from Piner High School, Stringfellow attended Santa Rosa Junior College from 1991 to 1994, where he majored in music. “I loved it [at the JC],” Stringfellow says. “They had a lot to offer, so much that I decided to stay an extra year. Curriculum? Whatever. I wanted to take all the classes.” Stringfellow remembers one of his favorite instructors was jazz teacher Bennett Friedman. “He was awesome,” Stringfellow says. He dedicated himself to school, knowing that education would give him an edge when he made the move to Nashville.
After receiving his A.A. from the JC, Stringfellow transferred to Chico State, where he continued his music studies, graduating in 1996 with a B.A. in recording arts and music composition. While at Chico, he married his high school sweetheart, to whom he has been married for 13 years this June. He and his wife have two children.
After acquiring his B.A., Stringfellow decided to pursue his Master’s at Chico, this time exploring his other interest –multimedia. His master’s thesis project provides a unique and anecdotal look into his blend of music and technology. Called “The Search for Art,” his video-thesis explores time travel, space and country music. “It was a sci-fi extravaganza…where they sent someone back in time to save country music,” Stringfellow says.
In November of 1997 he loaded up hi - The Oak Leaf Newspaper - Molly Rose Livingston, Co-Editor in Chief
Pete, honored and excited, has the opportunity to open up Heidi Newfield`s concert, held at: Wells Fargo Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa, California. Don`t miss out, buy your tickets today by following the link: http://PETE.pro/events/121209/
This wine country artist, with a country artist soul, was born with the love for music; Pete Stringfellow has turned his passion into a notable influence in the music industry. Pete is known in the industry for being an entertaining country artist, and for writing and composing songs that have found their way into more than 80 major Hollywood productions; including the classic motion picture Meet the Parents, "It was one of my songs from my Hip-Hop catalog called: Shada Boxa, and was featured during the scene where Ben Stiller`s character, Greg Focker, goes upstairs to get clothes from his fiancé`s brother." But, in Wine Country California Pete is best known for his song Santa Rosa that is played regularly on country radio.
Raised in Sonoma County Pete cannot say enough about the love he holds for the land and the people, "I think it boils down to the people. Sure, it`s incredibly beautiful and the weather is great but what makes it special, is the amazing community. If you`ve never been, do yourself a favor and visit when you can." Sonoma County, however, is not his only home these days; his second home, Nashville Tennessee, is near to his heart too. Not only does he love the music community and the history that it breaths, Pete has a great respect for the insight of the music industry it offers, "Nashville is still the Mecca for the business side of things and is home to some of the finest musicians, songwriters and recording engineers in the world. As an artist, there`s nothing like performing on a stage at the Wild Horse Saloon, or to be a part of a songwriters round at the Bluebird Café."
Pete is definitely keeping busy. At the moment he is promoting his new single, Up and Flying, which can be downloaded from iTunes. He is also scoring music and editing a new comedy Web series, Flipside, starring web celebrity Alex Albrecht of Diggnation that is sponsored by HP. Even though Pete has a full plate he still aspires to accomplish a few special projects, "I`d love to sing a duet with Alison Krauss, sing a song with the Eagles, write a ballad for Trisha Yearwood
, and do a live show with George Strait." With the passion and the drive that eludes from Pete`s character these desires will not be a flash in the pan, he will make it happen.
Pete, when asked, recommends that musicians get out and perform, write songs, and record as much as possible. He believes, in the new age of music artists must be hands on in all aspects of their own career, "The new breed of artists today can`t rely on the development deals` of the past. Take your career into your own hands, and be as independent as possible with every aspect of your career. If you don`t get `er done,` guess what, it won`t get done." He also recommends that all artists get involved in the computer aspects of the industry, "Everything is recorded with computers, promoted with computers and artists communicate with their audiences through computers." Pete`s last piece of advice is, "Stay in the game. Persistence does overcome resistance but only if you play the game smart. That means when you get knocked down, and you will, get back up again and learn from it. You won`t win if you quit."
Pete, regardless of his success is still very humble, "I just feel incredibly lucky with my life. I`ll continue to work hard and tell stories that I hope folks can relate to. It`s really all about evoking emotion, along with providing some imagery for your mind`s eye." Not only is he devoted to his fans, he gives out many avenues to keep in touch with him, "I`m very much into the whole "Social Media` side of things so be sure to connect with me on Myspace, Facebook and Twitter when you get a chance. I feel like it`s my job to take my audience along for the "ride,` and these tools help me do that." So don`t disappoint him, contact him at: Myspace:http://PETESmyspace.com,Facebook:http://PETESfacebook.com,Twitter: http://PETEStwitter.com.He is also giving away free mobile content on his mobile site, "My ringtone "Pick Up The Phone` has had over 10,000 downloads." To receive content go to: http://countryartist.mobi
Whether your passion for music starts at birth like Pete`s, or transpires latter in life, don`t wait follow your dreams and make it happen. - The SOP Magazine - Written by Mimi A.
"In Addition to being an imaginative writer, PETE sings with force and heart and produces like a pro." - Music Row Magazine - Critic Robert K. Oermann
Discography
Over 100 song placements in major Hollywood productions (major motion pictures, television, etc). Go to http://PETESfacebook.com for a complete list.
SINGLES (all available on iTunes, Rhapsody, Napster, Amazon.com and more)
"I Can Take It From Here" - 2010
"Up and Flying" - 2009
"It Ain't Nothin' (rebuttal to Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats")" - 2008
Single "Santa Rosa" - went to #1 in the SF Bay Area on country radio in 2007
Photos
Bio
PETE [stringfellow] Biography
(Written by Chuck Aly of Country Air Check)
“Music’s my life,” says PETE [stringfellow]. “It makes me tick. Period.” Which is, perhaps, exactly what you’d expect an up and coming Country singer to say, right before he tells you about the family farm. And playing drums on milk cans before turning one. And having a musical epiphany involving George Strait in his teens. And eventually leaving home for Nashville and his big dream.
In a truck. With his guitar.
But before you write this story off, be aware that there’s more to PETE [stringfellow] than oft-told new artist clichés. Much more.
Like having written and produced music for over 80 major motion pictures and television shows including Meet The Parents and The Bernie Mac Show. Like having been legally blind until just a few years ago. Like being born to a 16-year-old Columbian girl who fled her native country to Mexico to put her baby up for adoption.
Like being a classically trained musician and vocalist, schooled in music theory with three college degrees in Music. Like holding a Master’s degree in interactive multimedia. Like having worked more than a decade toward fulfilling his Country aspirations. Like turning down potential investors until he was absolutely sure he was ready.
There’s nothing ordinary about PETE [stringfellow], you see. And there’s nothing ordinary about the music he’s spent years writing, performing and producing.
Listen to the hook-drenched optimism of “Unpainted Pictures” or the stomping honky tonk of “The Flame is Out (But I'm Still Getting Burned)” and you’ll hear the finely-honed craft and unbridled inspiration of a new artist with something to say and a unique way of saying it. You’ll also hear his reverence for tradition and the world-class picking of A-list session players like Brent Mason. And you’ll begin to understand how an artist with ideas unheard of in Country music might just be exactly what Nashville needs.
"I grew up in wine country," PETE says. "Northern California." Despite the idyllic rural setting, the Stringfellow family was very multicultural. When PETE was three his parents adopted a six-year-old African American boy from the Philippine Islands. Two years later they adopted a two-day-old Mexican boy. “It made for an interesting childhood," PETE says. "My brothers and I are very close.”
And thus begins PETE [stringfellow]’s remarkable journey. His mother’s family owned a dairy ranch where the extended family would visit almost every weekend. Music was a mainstay. And for his mother, the farmer’s daughter, as well as the rest of the family it was always Country music.
His father, an auto mechanic, brought a different influence. “Dad was a huge Creedence Clearwater fan. He liked the Eagles, too.” Young PETE assimilated music quickly, from playing rhythms on milk cans in the barn at only six months old, to couch cushions at age four. “I would hit the couch so hard that the stuffing would fly out. I remember thinking, 'Wow, this is like pyro!' Of course my mom didn't think it was so cool. Lucky for me, my parents bought me drums soon after that incident.”
Music and martial arts became passions, aided by difficulties PETE had at school. “Throughout my entire childhood, I had to wear huge, thick glasses that were so heavy they'd pull my ears down. Kids can be cruel but I always had my music to turn to, it never let me down.”
Eight years of formal music lessons started at age nine, including drums, guitar and piano. In Junior High and High School, he and his friends listened to New Wave and Hip-Hop, but PETE became enthralled with something else. “Country music wasn't hip, but Charlie Daniels' Simple Man album sold me on the new Country sound of the late eighties, early nineties. I learned how to play every note of that song and quickly got familiar with the music of George Strait and Travis Tritt. That music just kicked my butt.”
Without any doubt where his career path was taking him, PETE went to college to study music where he earned an AA and BA in Music as well as a BA in Recording Arts. There were a few profitable diversions, however. “I was writing and producing Rock, Hip Hop and R&B for local bands, but listening to Country.” PETE wrote songs and produced Hip Hop act BB Swing (Classified/Tommy Boy Records) and built a catalog of material that still finds its way into motion picture and television work.
Meanwhile, he continued working toward his Country dreams. Playing shows, learning his craft and recording demos that never quite satisfied him. “I couldn’t just be adequate,” he says. Realizing his quest wouldn’t happen overnight, PETE decided to develop a career that paralleled his dream while providing a living. He earned his Master’s degree and began designing Web sites and interactive media. “I figured I might as well make a living in something creative that could enhance my career.”
He moved to Nashville in 1997, working full-
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