I want to start with a story: One of our last big concerts we played as Steve Croskey and Vision was up in Portland Oregon for a NW US Youth conference. It was held on the Columbia River, just north of Portland. Many years later, after Steve had died, I went up to Portland for a business trip. It was my first time back there since our concert. I was very nostalgic, thinking about Steve. Just walking through the airport reminded me of him. I got into my rent-a-car, and as I was driving out of the airport, I turned on the radio…. There was a song playing… it was Come Follow Me… the title song from Steve’s first record!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn’t believe my ears. My eyes watered up and I listened to this cover of Steve’s song. Apparently there is a really good Catholic radio station in Portland. The previous driver (or an angel) had left it on this station. What are the odds? How many millions to one?
Steve Croskey and Vision
Back to the Band History… When we all graduated from college, everyone landed in a parish somewhere in the valley. We probably figured we would not play together too much anymore. But an amazing man named Steve Croskey moved top Phoenix form Southern California and changed that. He was a well-known Catholic songwriter who had always dreamed of having his own band. He heard about some of us from Newman and asked us if we would join his band. We got together once and we just clicked. Eddy Cook on Bass, David Burba on Drums, Tim Smith on Keys, Jaime Cortez on Guitar, Julie Smith on Vocals, Kelly Carmody was our booking agent (and van driver). We were an instant hit. We were playing youth conference from Portland Oregon down through California, Arizona and New Mexico. We played at a Jazz club in Tempe one night.
Drummer Pict During Song
Chuy's in Tempe
We put out two CD’s (OK… Cassettes). Come Follow Me, and Don’t Walk Away. Parishes around the country are still doing Steve’s songs to this day. We would play the inspirational music for the conferences, and then put on a dance at the Hotels afterwards. One of our highlights was playing for the Pope John Paul II’s youth conference in Universal Studio. I have a separate Blog.
Steve shaking Pope JPII's Hand
My Stage Pass
We played for 2 or 3 years before Steve got sick. We stopped playing together. But Steve continued to play for a parish in the Diocese. He died, too few years later, of a disease which he probably would have survived had he had this today. I stay in contact with his wife Melanie and his kids. They were just kids when we were touring. We have very fond memories of our times on the road with them.
The story never ended… we still are all good friends today…. please check out stevecroskey.com for the rest of the story…
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