Steven Ybarra

Steven Ybarra (born September 4) is an American country pop singer and songwriter from Houston, Texas, United States. Ybarra has released a total of 8 CDs, five with his former band and three as a solo artist. In 2009 he released his first CD as a solo artist Love Love Love, followed close behind by his second release, Best Days, in 2011.
A track from Ybarra’s first CD was licensed with Universal Music Group for a special marketing campaign. In 2015 his third solo CD released, What I Really Want to Say, followed by a new single in 2016, “Why Would I Do That.”
Background
Born in Houston Texas, Ybarra began playing music at the age of three and sang in church growing up. After a family relocation to California during his high school years, Ybarra became the frontman and co-writer for a band. They toured nationally, sharing the stage with headliners such as Vertical Horizon, Sugar Ray, Hootie and the Blowfish, Five For Fighting, The Pat McGee Band, Switchfoot, The Calling, and numerous others. They also became the official band for marine artist Wyland and performed at the Wyland Ocean Challenge Tour nationwide.
In August 2005 (after the Wyland Ocean Challenge Tour performance in Mexico) Ybarra contracted meningitis and landed in the hospital. The illness totally blind-sighted him, completely derailing his career.
After a lengthy, slow recovery, Ybarra persevered, got back on track, and in 2007 released his first solo full-length CD, Love Love Love. This landed him the 2009 San Diego Music Award in the 'Best Acoustic' category. In March 2011, he released his second CD, Best Days, recorded at the Dream Center Studios in Los Angeles, CA.
Ybarra was always strongly influenced by a wide variety of pop music, but at the core of his Texas-born roots was also a strong love of country. He fused the two together and steered his career towards the country in his third solo CD, What I Really Want to Say released under the Pacific Records label. It landed on the iTunes top 100 country chart on release day. It was recorded at the infamous Castle Studios where he worked with some of the best musicians, producers, and engineers in country music, such as, Chad Jeffers and Chris Rodriguez (who have both played with Keith Urban and Kenny Loggins) and fiddler JeneeFlenor, who plays with Blake Shelton’s band.
Ybarra has also released 5 official music videos-“What I Really Want to Say”, “Best Days”, “Stand” (a benefit for Solutions for Change homeless shelter), “Romance You Girl”, and “Why Would I Do That.”
His sound is frequently compared to Keith Urban, Hunter Hayes, and Rascal Flatts. His last two recordings, “Why Would I Do That” and What I Really Want to Say each earned 2 GRAMMY considerations. He has toured nationally, performing live as the featured artist for Frankie Ballard, Eric Church, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain, Gavin DeGraw, and others.
Discography
*2016-"Why Would I Do That" -Single
*2015-What I Really Want to Say LP
*"All You Gotta Do" -Single
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*2008-Love Love Love, LP
*2006 Steven Ybarra, EP
*2005-Masses Collide, LP
*2004-Live At Dublin Square, LP
*2001-Is It You, LP
*1998-Inside This Radio, LP
*1994-Live At The Velvet Lounge, LP
Benefit and charity performances
*2016-Classy Country Benefit Concert, Creating First Impressions, Seaport Village Headquarters, San Diego, CA
*2016-Mitchell Thorp Foundation, Pillars of Hope Aviator Tennis Smash, La Costa, CA
*Solutions for Change, 'An Evening to Remember with our American Heroes' event, Carlsbad, CA
*2015 for 'Honor Flight-Comedy for a Cause' San Diego, CA
*Video of the song 'Stand' filmed at Solutions for Change, Vista CA
*CD Release Party, Benefit for Alliance for Hope San Diego, CA
*Rock Church North County Toys 4 Joy, San Marcos, CA
*Tapis Rouge Fashion Show, San Diego, CA
*Fine Magazine Charity Event-Freedom by Fashion White Party
*Republican Convention - 'Rock the Vote' stage, 1996 - San Diego, CA
*" - Orangewood Children’s Center, Huntington Beach, CA
*Hurricane Ivan Benefit Concert/ Block Party - Red Cross fundraiser, Rural Hall, NC
*Hurricane Katrina Benefit Concert/Block Party - Red Cross Fundraiser, San Diego, CA
* -16 Cities, 15 East Coast cities
*2005 West Coast Wyland Ocean Challenge Tour - 12 West Coast cities
*3 Surfrider Foundation Benefit Concerts - San Diego, CA
*Choc Walk Children’s Hospital - Orange County, CA
*Team “Will 2 Live” - Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Benefit Concert, San Marcos, CA
*Mission Valley/Horton Plaza Malls - YMCA Fundraiser, San Diego, CA
*The San Diego 2005 Heart Walk, American Heart Association - San Diego, CA
*March of Dimes Benefit Concert - San Diego, CA
*Children’s Polinsky Center Benefit Concert - Emergency Shelter for Children, San Diego, CA
*Golf Fore Arthritis Fundraiser - Del Mar, CA
*Challenged Athletes Foundation Benefit Concert - San Diego, CA
*Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's “Team In Training” Program, Rock N Roll Marathon - San Diego, CA
*Back To School Rally and After School Enrichment Program - Pineville, NC
*Pacific Beach Jam Benefit (To provide musical instruments for schools) - San Diego, CA
*Wyland Wall Dedication Ceremony at the San Diego County Fair- San Diego, CA
*, San Diego, CA
*Friends of Joshua Orphan Care Fundraiser - San Diego, CA
*The ONEkind Foundation, Walkathon for the Homelessness - Vista, CA
*Fine Magazine's Fall into Fashion Benefit for Whole Kids Foundation - Encinitas, CA
*National Governor's Association Annual Meeting - San Diego, CA
*Hurricane Sandy Benefit Performance - San Diego, CA
Nominations and Awards
*1995, Liquid Groove-Winner of San Diego Music Awards-Best Rock
*1996, Liquid Groove-Winner of San Diego Music Awards-Best Alternative
*1999, Liquid Groove-Winner of San Diego Music Awards-Best Adult Alternative
*2001, 34Below-Nomination for San Diego Music Awards-Best Local Recording
*2004, Top 5 finalist, Ryan Seacrest and KISS FM 'Make a Star' Contest
*2008, Platinum prize-winner, San Diego Songwriter’s Guild - For the song “Love Love Love”
*
*2010, Steven Ybarra-Nomination for San Diego Music Awards-Best Acoustic
*2011, Steven Ybarra-Nomination for San Diego Music Awards-Best Local Recording
*2013, Finalist, San Diego County Fair Singer Songwriter Contest
* 2013 Steven Ybarra-Nomination for San Diego Music Awards-Singer/Songwriter
*2015, Durango Songwriting Contest, 1st place in country category for 'Sum of Two Hearts'
*2015 Nominated for San Diego Music Award, Best Pop Album
*2015 CD What I Really Want to Say placed on the Grammy ballot in 2 categories
*2016 Single "Why Would I Do That" placed on the Grammy ballot in 2 country categories
Memberships
* Academy of Country Music
* Country Music Association
* Pollstar
* Ascap
* GRAMMY-The Recording Academy
Endorsed by
Taylor Guitar, Dunlop, Elixir Strings, Levy’s Leathers, and Kyser Musical Products
Venues played
*Whisky A Go Go, Opening Act for Frankie Ballard
*Valley View Casino Center, Shania Twain pre-show
*Torrey Pines, Farmers Post Party on the Green, Presented by Harrahs
*Mattress Firm Amphitheatre, K-Array Sound Demo
*KSON Radio, San Diego, CA, Performed National Anthem
*SDSU Open Air Theatre, San Diego, CA
*San Diego Yacht Club, Honor Flight Fundraiser, San Diego, CA
*Best of San Diego Party, San Diego Magazine
*Petco Park, Membership Lounge San Diego, CA
*Seaport Village, San Diego, CA
*Sounds of Summer, Horton Plaza, San Diego, CA
*Ramona Mainstage, Ramona, CA
*ArtWalk, Little Italy, San Diego, CA
*Sang National Anthem at Padres Game, Petco Park-San Diego, CA
* San Diego County Fair - Main Grandstand, Del Mar, CA
* Westfield, UTC La Jolla, CA
*PB Block Party - Pacific Beach, CA
*House of Blues - San Diego, CA - Los Angeles, CA
*52nd Annual PGA Merchandise Show - Orlando, FL
*Annual Wisteria Festival - Sierra Madre, CA
*Phoenix Film Festival - Phoenix, AZ
*The Whiskey - Los Angeles, CA
*The Roxy - West Hollywood, CA
*The Viper Room - Hollywood, CA
*National Anthem - Charlotte Bobcats NBA Team, Charlotte, NC
*National Anthem - Irwindale Raceway, Irwindale, CA
*West Coast Invitational Snow Boarding Event/Concert - Mammoth Lakes, CA
*National Association for Campus Activities Convention, East Coast
*National Association for Campus Activities Convention, West Coast
*Music on the Bay's “Starlight Concert Series”, Coos Bay, OR
*Humphreys by the Bay Concerts, San Diego, CA
*San Diego Street Scene, San Diego, CA
*Mammoth Lakes Festival, Mammoth Lakes, CA
*Willamette University, Salem, OR
Media recognition
*Live Interview, the Voice of La Jolla, La Jolla, CA
*Live Interview, Brad Mercer Rocks, Palm Springs, CA
*Live Interview, 2015-KUSI TV, San Diego
*Live Interview-APH Radio, Alpharetta, GA
*Live Interview, KSON Radio, San Diego
*Live Interview, ESPN Radio, San Diego
*Songs featured - MTV's Road Rules
*Songs Featured - MTV’s Undressed
*Songs featured - ESPN's Surfer Magazine Live
*Songs Featured - Soundtracks, Beyond the Boundaries (Surf film)
*Songs Featured - '
*Live appearance/interview, NBC Morning News Show - San Diego, CA
*Live appearance/interview, News Channel 3’s “Good Morning Arizona,” Phoenix, AZ
*Live appearance/interview, Channel 10 San Diego, CA (Featuring the Johnny Carson song & letter from Johnny Carson)
*Live appearance/interview, KUSI Channel 9 San Diego, CA
*Live Appearance Channel 8 San Diego, CA
*Live appearance/interview, 'Arizona Midday,' KPNX-TV (NBC)
*Live performance, KUSI TV, San Diego, CA
*Live Interview/Performance - KMMT Radio, Mammoth Lakes, CA
*Live Interview - KRUSH Radio, Santa Rosa, CA
*Live Interview - Power 107.3, Bemidgi, MN
*Live Interview- Power 103.7, Coos Bay, OR
*Live Interview - AM 600, Talk Show with Rodger Hedgecock, San Diego, CA
Opened for
*Frankie Ballard
*Shania Twain
*Eric Church
*Kenny Wayne Shepherd
*Gavin De Graw
*Marc Seal
*Jeremy Camp
*Lit
*Sugar Ray
*Vertical Horizon
*Five For Fighting
*Hootie and the Blowfish
*The Pat McGee Band
*Big Head Todd and the Monsters
*Colin Hay of Men at Work
*Switchfoot
*Dishwalla
*The Calling
*Jason Mraz
*Unwritten Law
*Gin Blossoms
*Relient K
*Alien Ant Farm
*Gilby Clarke
*Pete Best
*Kyle Cook
*A.J. Croce
*Dick Dale
*Dada
*Leah Andreone
*Deep Blue Something
*superdrag
*Gene Loves Jezebel
*Pato Banton
*Roger Clinton
*Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers
*Common Sense
*Comedian, “Carrot Top”
*Teddy Geiger

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