Steve "The Harp" Mehlberg

Vocals, harmonica, keyboards, songwriter
Band Leader of Steve "The Harp" Blues Band

A native son of Bloomington, Illinois, Steve has been blowing harp around the Illinois area since 1972.  Steve has played with Stanley Jordan, Tommy Castro, Magic Dick, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Charlie Musselwhite, and Studebaker John.

Steve "The Harp": Plays Fender Amps, Hohner Harmonica's, Yamaha Keyboards, Astatic microphones.

Influences:
Howlin Wolf, Little Walter, Paul Butterfield, James Cotton, Rice Miller, Gary Smith, Rick Estrin, Big Walter and Al Wilson.

Steve “The Harp” has been actively involved in teaching The Blues for many years.

 

Each year, Steve packs his harmonicas and heads out into school districts to share his love of Blues history combined with his own musical skills.

 

A typical program includes obvious messages about the history of the Blues, but Steve’s messages and stories also emphasize the importance of character development and wise decisions to successful lifestyles.

 

Often, Steve travels with hundreds of harmonicas, which he provides to students free, through his arrangement with the Blues Blowtorch Society.

Blessed with a deep love of the Blues and an educator’s gift, Steve “The Harp” continues to teach the Blues to hundreds of new students each year at schools, festivals, and performances around the state as well as private students.

Steve "The Harp", a veteran and now a retired Normal Fire Department Lieutenant, says,” come on out to see us, you'll hear many of your old and new Blues favorites."