Nominated for an "Outstanding Musical Achievement" award (contemporary category) by First Americans in the Arts, F.A.I.T.A.
Twice As Good is the professional name of the music duo formed by Paul Anthony Steward (Son, born 1984) and Richard James Steward (Father, born 1951) from Clearlake Oaks, CA. Pomo Indians of the Elem Indian Colony. Richard had grown up around music all his life, learned to play guitar and sing. He mostly admired the Blues & Soul. When Paul was a young teenager, Richard taught Paul to play guitar, encouraging him to be a Lead Guitarist. Paul, inspired by B.B. King began imitating the Electric Blues Guitar he heard on the radio and CD's. Also practicing his vocals. Paul & Rich had played around with various bands in the beginning, gaining exposure and experience, but in May 2003 they debuted as "Twice As Good, 2XG" at Terry's Southern BBQ in Santa Rosa, CA. Since then they have been all over the the USA, released 3 albums, shared the stage with many legends and famous artists, and continue to garner success and praise. With Paul leading the band through flashy show tunes, with soulful vocals, screaming guitar, and unbelievable stage presence.
The name "Twice As Good" isn't a claim of status. To Paul & Rich it is a dedication to hard work and quality of craft. About believing in one's self, not being shy, and having the courage to try something as hard as becoming a successful professional musician. They were told, "you can't make it in the music business, you got to be twice as good". They replied, "well all right then. We will be, Twice As Good".
Twice As Good is committed to carrying on the tradition of the great Blues, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, Country, Rock and Roll artists who have defined the music we treasure today. As well as developing their own style and personality and even infusing it with modern music. They have traveled all over the USA and Hawaii. They've earned a reputation of being one the hardest working bands, not to mention their intense shows, and all-around good guys.
They have opened for:
The Delta Wires
Bobbie Webb
Norton Buffalo
Tonemah
BlueBox
Sugar Pie DeSanto
Terry Hanck
Guitar Mikey
Razorblade
Super Chikan & the Fighting Cocks
Volker Strifler
backed up:
Charlie Musselwhite
Storm Taylor
Second Wind-Temptations Tribute Group
Garth Brooks-Country Legends Impersonator
Charlie Daniels-Country Legends Impersonator
Shania Twain-Country Legends Impersonator
shared the stage with:
Andre Williams
Rob Watson
Alvon Johnson
Levi Lloyd
Robert Randolph & The Family Band!
Twice As Good, has played at these venues and others and continues to get return engagements:
FESTIVALS:
The Sonoma County Blues Festival, Santa Rosa, CA
Native Contemporary Arts Festival, San Francisco, CA
The Juke Joint Festival, Clarksdale, MS
The Electric Pow Wow, San Francisco, CA
The Native American Music Association Blues Fest, San Jacinto, CA
The Cobb Mtn. Jazz & Blues Fest, Cobb Mtn, CA
The Round Valley Reservation Domestic Violence-Program Music & Arts Festival, Covelo, CA
The Blue Wing Saloon Blues Festival, Upper Lake, CA
The KRSH 95.9FM Backyard Concert Series, Santa Rosa, CA
CONCERT HALLS:
Cultural Center, Crescent City, CA
The Wells Fargo Center, Santa Rosa, CA
The Last Day Saloon, Santa Rosa, CA
The Brava Theatre, San Francisco, CA
The Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills, CA
The Grand Caberet, Pala, CA
Sebastopol Community Center, Sebastopol, CA
Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa Joe Mazzola Showroom, Kelseyville, CA
CLUBS:
The Saw Shop, Kelseyville, CA
The Tradewinds, Cotati, CA
Super Chikan's Place at the Bluesberry Cafe, Clarksdale, MS
Indian Beach Resort, Clearlake Oaks, CA
Carlos & Vinny's Bar/Grill, Lakeport, CA
The Keg, Hopland, CA
The Buckhorn, Covelo, CA
The Forestville Club, Forestville, CA
Andre's BBQ, Clearlake, CA
The Garage Sports Bar, Santa Cruz, CA
The Blue Wing Saloon, Upper Lake, CA
The Ace In The Hole Pub, Sebastopol, CA
The Outpost, Winton, CA
Everett's, Crescent City, CA
The Grand Oaks Restaurant, Oakland, CA
The Pasta Pelican, Alemeda, CA
...to name a few.
CASINOS:
River Rock Casino, Geyserville, CA (the house band for over 3 years and still going!)
Rolling Hills Casino, Corning, CA
Casino Arizona, Scottsdale, AZ
Pala Resort & Casino, Pala, CA
Casino Pauma, Pauma Valley, CA
Konocti Vista Casino, Lakeport, CA
Robinson Rancheria Resort & Casino, Nice, CA
Twin Pine Casino, Middletown, CA
Shodakai Coyote Valley Casino, Ukiah, CA(Twice As Good won 1st place in the November '04 Battle of the Bands)
Hopland Shokawah Casino, Hopland, CA
Lucky 7 Casino, Smith River, CA
The Sienna Hotel & Casino of Reno, NV
Soboba Casino & Bingo, San Jasinto, CA (with Red Man Blues)
Colusa Bingo & Casino, Colusa, CA (with Red Man Blues)
The Silver Reef Casino, Bellingham, WA (with Storm Taylor)
The Silver Legacy Casino of Reno, NV
SCHOOLS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND GROUPS:
Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle Community School, Bloomfield, NM
City College of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
The Harvey Milk Academy, San Francisco, CA
University of Nevada, Reno, NV
Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa, CA
Montgomery High School, Santa Rosa, CA
The Cancer Society Relay For Life, Lakeport, CA
Tele-Video Company, Oakland, CA
The Native American Health Center, San Francisco, CA
The Sonoma County Blues Society, Santa Rosa, CA
First Americans In The Arts, Beverly Hills, CA
The Soroptimists International of St. Helena, CA
The Native Sons of St. Helena, CA
The Law Offices of Monteau & Peebles, Sacramento, CA
Royal Adah Arms Apartments, San Francisco, CA
Lytton Rancheria, Santa Rosa, CA
The Sacramento Blues Society, Sacramento, CA
The City of Clearlake, CA
KRSH 95.9FM Radio-Sonoma County
Lake County Tribal Health Center, Lakeport, CA
Sonoma County Indian Health Center, Santa Rosa, CA
Round Valley Indian Health Center, Covelo, CA
The Lummi Nation of Washington State, Bellingham, WA
The Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe, Fallon, NV
Stewart's Point Rancheria, Stewart's Point, CA
Elk Valley Rancheria, Crescent City, CA
Pala Reservation, Pala, CA
MOTORCYCYLE GROUPS:
The Redwood Coast Riders, Point Arena, CA
The Mendocino County H.O.G. Association, Ukiah, CA
The Iron Pigs, Lakeport, CA
WINERIES & VINEYARDS:
Tulip Hill Winery
Moulds Family Vineyards
and numerous, weddings, birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, and private parties.
Paul A. Steward, (Vocalist and Lead Guitar) is also a Pomo Indian and member of the Elem Indian Colony Tribe. Paul had music around him all his life through his Father and family but only began playing guitar in his mid-teens. His Dad taught him his first chords and tricks then told him “you learn the rest” so he began copying the guitar solos and leads of B. B. King and of Wayne Bennett on some old Bobby “Blue” Bland tunes. In High School, Paul rose to prominence in his school jazz band earning awards and praise that led to a music scholarship to the University of Nevada, Reno. Paul enrolled and began attending classes at UNR, but after a semester he decided for the time being to continue his education back home at the Santa Rosa Junior College. One of Paul's aspirations is to become a music teacher. Paul also plays Harmonica, Keyboard, Trumpet, Ukulele, Mandolin, Banjo, Violin and Saxophone.
Since 2003 he has performed as one half of Twice As Good with his father, as well as jammed with many great artists and musicians. Picking up pointers and skills on the way. Being the band director when 2XG backed up a Temptations tribute group doing all the classic soul. Then a year later, directing a country music tribute of 3 great country stars, Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, and Charlie Daniels. Also laying down some smokin' guitar solos during each one of these shows. In May of 2007 Paul Steward got to jump on stage with Robert Randolph & The Family Band at the Wells Fargo Center, Santa Rosa, and jam. The crowd was amazed and Paul was said to have smoked Robert and Family. All in good fun. Then in August of 2008 Twice As Good joined with their friend Charlie Musselwhite on stage to headline the Blue Wing Blues Festival at the historic Tallman Hotel and Blue Wing Saloon/Cafe of Upper Lake, CA.
Whether he's diving off a 6-foot stage, doing the splits, or dancing his way thru the audience you'll usually catch a big smile on his face. As he is out not only to create great music but also to entertain.
Richard J. Steward, (Rhythm Guitar) is a Pomo Indian and a member of the Elem Indian Colony Tribe of Lake County, California. Self taught and trained over the years by playing in several unknown bands in numerous honky tonks and dives throughout Northern California. A life-long fan of Blues and Soul he passed that passion along to his son.
Of noteable mention, he did make friends and hang with the great side-man Luther Tucker, back when Tucker was gigging and living in the Bay Area. Rich's style of rhythm guitar is based from the old Blues/Jazz style of comping, inspired by the legendary Matt "guitar" Murphy. Hence, the SG guitars. Rich is also known as "Daddy Rich" or "The Father of The Blues".
Chris Hoke, (Bassist)
showed up in Arizona and said, "I'm the new bass player, dig it"?
The rest is history...
Funky like Danielle Morgan and Bluesy like Michael Doster.
Bryce Hodge (Drummer) a fellow High School Jazz Band member with Paul. Bryce began his career in the Los Angeles, CA area working in rock/pop music and many other styles while also going to the Musicians Institute to study. His fate then took him to Austin, Texas. After his time there he finally found his way home where his powerful, lightning speed and style created a perfect match for the band. Some of Bryce's influences are David Garibaldi, Lenny White, Steve Gadd, Vinnie Colaiuta.
