Homecoming

Phil Vassar celebrates the 25th anniversary of his breakthrough hit at The Levoy. Vineland native Steve Lemon is grateful to open for him.

Like many young musicians scattered throughout the country, Steve Lemon pictured himself as a star, performing in clubs throughout southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, writing songs, getting a recording contract, and having a hit record or two. But sometimes the world steps in the way and you did what was required. Yet hope lingered.

“Twenty years ago, I thought I’d be doing music full-time, but decided to start a family and settle down,” says Lemon, who was born in Abington, PA. The family had settled in Vineland when his dad left the navy. “I stopped writing and focused on a career in insurance.”

During the Covid-19 pandemic, he had more time. Lemon wrote new music, even released material. But with a cooler approach.

“I do still work for my main income, but since I have no other hobbies except making music, it’s how I spend most of my free time,” he says. “I’m on the road a lot for my work and love those opportunities to play in front of audiences across the country.” 

Lemon comes home on October 23 when he opens for veteran singer-songwriter Phil Vassar. 

“It gives me a chance to get back out there on the local scene and I feel like Phil’s audience will connect with my music. It’s not the same style, but the overall spirit has a lot of similarities.” 

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IF YOU GO…
Phil Vassar “25 Years of Paradise” Tour
Date: Thursday, October 23
Time: Doors: 6 p.m. / Show: 7 p.m.
Runtime: Opening Act: Steve Lemon, 20 minutes, Intermission: 15 minutes, Main Event: 90 minutes
Tickets: $54 to $69, plus fees
Venue: Levoy Theatre, 128-130 N. High Street, Millville N.J
856-327-6400; [email protected]; Levoy.net

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Vassar celebrates the 25th anniversary of his breakthrough hit, “Just Another Day in Paradise.” He’ll do his hits and covers of other piano men.

“I don’t believe I’ll be playing any songs with Phil, as we’ve never met, but I’m so grateful to him, his team and Levoy Theatre for allowing me to be a part of that special night.

“I will be playing a short, but fun 20-minute set. Probably five, maybe six songs,” Lemon says. “He expects to do a handful of songs from his new EP, Domestic Circus, which features songs about his family. 

“I’m so excited to get these songs out there,” he says.

 Lemon’s style, which he dubs Americana-Pop, is an amalgamation of what came before him. 

“As a kid in the mid-’80s, the songs on the radio were all smash pop future classics, and those melodies burned deep within me for sure. I think most people love music, but I wanted to give it a go for myself.”

He started on trumpet, but his braces stepped in the way. He switched to guitar and realized he could sing a little bit. 

“At the time I was listening to a lot of country music… specifically Garth Brooks, Clint Black, and Dwight Yoakam so I started learning how to play their songs and sing along.”

Style-wise, Lemon is all over the place. 

“I love big-band sounds and always felt drawn more to the “oldies.” I was in high school in the ’90s and listened to very little of the current music at the time. I was more into Bobby Vee, The Everly Brothers, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Vinton, and Neil Sedaka. All those influences most definitely shaped my sound. My peers always said my songs had an old-time flavor to them,” he says.

In February 2025, he released his long-awaited debut album …a strange pale blue on Kipper Records.

Lemons’ Social Media sites:

www.stevenlemon.com

www.instagram.com/stevenlemonmusic

www.facebook.com/stevenlemonmusic

www.youtube.com/@stevenlemonmusic