After leaving the band LAW in December 1977, Steve moved to Jackson, Mississippi where his father was serving as Director of Operations for the Packard Electric Division of General Motors. There he began his writing career and continued his music career, as well. He wrote and produced statewide #1 hit records for Mississippi State and Ole Miss. He wrote a eulogy for John Lennon, published in a Jackson newspaper, that was personally selected by Yoko Ono for reprint in the book "A Tribute to John Lennon." He commenced his advertising career as a copywriter for the state's largest ad agency. He graduated from Mississippi College. He got married and in 1985, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee.
 
In 2007, Steve was signed to a long-term songwriting and production development deal by the SST Studios and Productions in New York City. Five years later, after establishing a production company specializing in contemporary college fight songs, SST and University Jams were destroyed by Superstorm Sandy. Steve lost everything. Nevertheless, Steve persevered. He continued to write, to pursue his dual careers, and to rebuild his life. Numerous devastating setbacks along the way could not stop him.