Fit That Steel by Steelbeam

Born a boilermaker's son in Lubbock, PJ Liles's family often moved around the West, Baytown, and Midland/Odessa areas. PJ's father passed away when he was 14, and it was now his responsibility to get a job to help support the family. "I was the oldest one at home," he says. "I went and got a job at Newby's in Baytown as a bus boy. A year later, I became the singing bus boy."

Well-known radio DJ Eric Leikam's musical credits includes Soulride the critically acclaimed debut CD with former wife Shelly Knight. He also produced "Walter's Bird" for Dana Davis' WYRD CD. Eric's songs have been performed and recorded by Steve Ulrich, The South Austin Gospel Choir and others. Prior to relocating to Austin in 1995, Eric played bass in a Houston band that featured award-winning songwriter Shelley King and present Steelbeam guitarist Kyle Judd.

PJ had been hosting an open mic at Café Mundi in East Austin. He and Eric used that opportunity to write more songs, solidify their style and to jam with other Austin-based musicians. They eventually found eager lifeblood in New Orleans drummer Steve Gavigan. Rounding out the Steelbeam sound was fellow choir member and long time friend of Eric's, Kyle Judd.

Drummer Steve Gavigan emigr

ated to Austin from Massachusetts via New Orleans where he played and recorded with artists such as Chip Taylor, Balsa Wood Flyers, Water For Emily and noted children's entertainer Dennis Berner. Steve also performs with guitarist Doug Clark Steiger and the Lee Edwards Group, among other local musicians.

Kyle Judd has been voted one of Austin's favorite guitarists by readers of the Austin Chronicle. A recurring member of the award-winning Shelley King Band, Kyle also plays with Jessica Shepherd and frequently sits in with Steve and Doug Clark Steiger at their gigs.

Steelbeam recorded and released their debut CD "Good Ol' Fashion Blue Collar Sound" in 2002. Though it received critical acclaim and modest sales, the band concluded that re-recording some of the more popular songs, including "Boilermaker Blues", "Redneck Ways" and "Engine 17", would reflect a more accurate essence of their sound. In October of 2004 they entered Cribworks Studio in Austin with noted engineer Merel Bregante at the helm and with the help of Dimestore Poets bassist Carl Loschiveo, they recorded and mixed six original songs. Terra Nova's sonic guru Jerry Tubb mastered the EP.

Steelbeam has been featured on the syndicated program Humble Time Radio and has received airplay on Central Texas radio stations KGSR, KUT, KKMJ, KFAN and KVET.

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