The "Feel of Neil"

Steve Waddington was born in Northern California's Bay Area and was the lead singer/rhythm guitarist in his first professional band “Cruis'n” right out of high school. Within a year they were averaging 200+ performances per year and releasing a regional hit novelty record which Steve wrote!  He later formed “Steve One & the Shades” an all-original pop-rock band that released a critically-acclaimed debut album and shared many a stage with their fellow up-and-comers Chris Isaak, Greg Kihn, Huey Lewis, etc.  He also dabbled in acting! Acting jobs had Steve swapping lines with Kirk Douglas, Craig T. Nelson, Kurt Russell and more, and he moved to L.A., where he did some voiceover work and a few more acting roles. 

Here in L.A., he fronted a group of musicians at events all over So Cal where he became known for his vocal salutes to Dean Martin, Johnny Cash, and Neil Diamond, among others. His “Dino” landed him on the Jimmy Kimmel Live stage numerous times as emcee for L.A.'s “Feast of San Genarro”, as well as performing in various Rat Pack and Martin & Lewis tribute shows.  His “Cash” got him a show performing with Kris Kristofferson (who signed his guitar and said “you sound so much like Cash, it's scary!), and performing as a tribute to ‘the man in black’ in ”Cashin' In". 

But singing a few Neil Diamond numbers brought him a chance meeting with Rose Diamond, Neil's mother, who LOVED his voice and performance, and urged him to do his own Neil tribute, which, honestly, didn't take much urging, as Steve has always been a huge Neil fan. And his band members had always tried to get him to start a tribute show! So, with the band's help, and Rose's blessing, he created “The Feel of Neil”, and it has been met with critical acclaim and enthusiastic fans!  His new band is comprised of the most dedicated, renown players in Southern California whose individual talents are laser-focused to  bring as much authenticity and energy to the music of Neil Diamond as Steve brings to the voice, the look, and the performance. 

Not so much an imitation, but a celebration! A celebration where we all get “The Feel of Neil”!