When it comes to pickers, Steve Piticco is in a class of his own. He has become the benchmark for seasoned professionals and developing players alike, with his distinctive sound and style. Steve was born in Toronto and began playing guitar at age eleven, acquiring the Fender Telecaster at age fifteen that he uses to this day.
In the late 1970's, he arrived on the local scene, playing with The Prescott Brothers band and also working with many of the top groups in the Ottawa area.
In 1989, he formed his own band, South Mountain, which received the Canadian Country Music Association’s Vista Rising Star award in 1990, and Steve has been recognized many times by the CCMA as "Guitar Player of the Year" and "Instrumentalist of the Year".
In addition, Steve has played guitar in Tommy Hunter’s concert tour band and has guested on countless recording sessions as well as recording several of his own albums. With his new version of South Mountain, Steve travels extensively throughout Canada and Europe, most notably in Scandinavia where the Dutch Country Music Association has honoured him with five Grammy Awards for International Instrumentalist (winning over such world-renowned players as Chet Atkins, Mark O’Connor, Vince Gill and Mark Knopfler) and the group with "International Group of the Year" twice.
An appearance on a Nashville television program brought the following comments from seasoned Nashville session players: "He can't be from this planet!" and "It should be against the law to play like that!". When it comes to country guitarists, Steve Piticco is world class.
