Kudos from the Pros !

GRAMMY nominated songwriter, LATHAN HUDSON:

"Steven is a great musician and recording artist who is having success in his part of the U.S. and is on his way to becoming a successful international recording artist.
Here are some words about Steven from one of my best friends, Multiple Award-Winning Songwriter,
JOHNNY 'CHANCE' JONES who owns the Adventureland Theme Park in Dothan, Alabama. He is one of the best songwriters I know.

Johnny and I have had songs that we co-wrote, recorded by Tammy Wynette. He is the biggest critic I've ever been associated with. Johnny could find something wrong with - and would try to rewrite -The Sermon on The Mount and/or works of Shakespeare." . . .

"Steven Kalas writes some things that blow me away Lathan. I mean, blow me away. I have never seen anyone any more talented, lyrically, and he is a pro singer and melody writer too. If Steven can get out there and get heard, which, apparently, he is doing, the sky could be the limit for him. To me, Lyrically, he's a cross between Gordon Lightfoot, Leonard Cohen and Dylan. He misses on some of his songs, like Dylan often did, but it doesn't matter because he's so friggin', unbelievably good on the others that, as in the case of Dylan, people will give him a super star's latitude; create something in their own minds as to what the song means, demand no co-writing credit, and breathlessly proclaim, "what genius!"

"Finally Here" Raves

If you like music that can't be crammed into a niche, this is the album for you. If you want to clearly hear and understand the story behind the song (to which most of us can relate)this is an excellent choice. If you like songs that are thought-provoking and relevant and which NEVER sound like noise, give this one a listen. I think, before long, it may be your favorite CD!

"Live As If"

The pacing of this guitar is quite hypnotic. Such a complete song, and the echoing harmony so subtle! Pure energy. This song is simply a classic. A milestone piece to compare all future work by and one to listen to time and again."

And this from a fellow songwriter:

"Steven, how do you pack so much of yourself into 4 minutes? The lyrics are butter. It's so good. The symbolism is not only natural and simple, but also complete and transcending."

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STEVEN KALAS - In the words of Las Vegas based singer-songwriter Steven Kalas, “Songwriting is the most authentic voice I possess. You don’t have to agree with what I say in a song, but you better believe that I believe it.” Described as a mix between Jerry Garcia, Cat Stevens and Paul Simon, Kalas exhibits some fine songwriting and singing on his 2005 self-produced CD, Finally Here. Backed by his group, PaperCymbal —including guitarist Dave Braun—Kalas skirts the borders of folk-rock and adult pop with finesse. CD Reviews Editor Robert Silverstein - 20th Century Guitar (Jul 20, 2005)

FANS REVIEW "Something to Say" CD

“Adventurous and totally convincing”
Reviewer: Ian Kenway (Powys, Wales, UK)

Something to Say begs a lot to be said about it. Its predecessor was good but this latest outing for Steven Kalas and PaperCymbal represents a quantum leap in musical development.

“Sweet melodies and honest lyrics”
Reviewer: Jennifer Friel

I feel all of the tunes on Something To Say hold deep lyrical and musical importance-- but if for no other reason BUY THIS CD for the song "Fail Forward" “Melodic, well written,witty observations on love and life"
Reviewer: Richard Stark

Steven says what we all really long to say to a loved one or not so loved one.

“Perfectly original, words flow together beautifully.”
Reviewer: Randal Fowler

This Cd was awesome, I myself am more aimed toward the hip hop genre of music, but beautiful music is impossible to deny.

“This album speaks to my life”
Reviewer: Cate Cooper

The lyrics range from tender to biting with all sorts of emotions in between. The music is beautiful; the arrangements are fantastic

“Steven Kalas makes music that puts LIFE into words!"
Reviewer: L. Willowbrook

"HUMAN MATTERS" Columns

May 11
I've been reading Steven Kalas' Sunday columns, "Human Matters," for the past few weeks.

If someone were to call them common sense, that alone would not be adequate. He has the ability to layer his topics in such a way that they are always interesting and more importantly, highly insightful.

Tom Justin
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July 10
As I read Thursday's report about the loss of yet another baby's life after being left in a car in the desert heat, I was reminded that I had not written a note to your Living columnist, Steven Kalas, commending him for his honest look at how this tragedy happens ("Beware the dangers of interrupting routine," July 10). As a transportation safety educator, this is a topic that is far too often only addressed after a tragedy.

Every time a life is lost this way, numerous people ask, "How is that possible?" or they question the parents' ability to raise children. Mr. Kalas' commentary showed in perfect detail how it happens. Loving, caring, involved parents can fall prey to being so distracted that their most precious babies pay the ultimate price. My fear is that like so many other safety messages, parents will not take the time to read this, internalize that it can happen to them and plan accordingly.

I would urge every parent of a small child to read Mr. Kalas' July 10 column. If you do not have access to Internet, the Safe Community Partnership at UNLV will happily mail it to you. Call 895-1780 to receive it.

Erin Breen
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November 9th
Youth Suicide
On behalf of the Nevada Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Nevada Coalition for Suicide Prevention, I commend Steven Kalas for his excellent series of recent columns ("Human Matters," Sundays) on youth suicide.

Given the fact that the per-capita suicide rate in Nevada is nearly double the national average, the well-written material in his columns significantly raised public awareness of the need for improved youth suicide prevention education in our state.

Mr. Kalas accurately presented an important three-part message: The warning signs of suicide are not easy to recognize, so we must be familiar with all of the risk factors and signs of concern; young people talk to their peers rather than adults, so peers can and must be educated in basic intervention; and we are all "gatekeepers" who, with effective training, can intervene in a personal crisis and direct a suicidal individual to life-saving resources.

One of the many lessons I've learned in the aftermath of my son's suicide in 1993 is that suicide prevention is everybody's business. Thank you for giving this insightful writer the opportunity to provide important information to our community.

Linda L. Flatt, chairwoman of the Nevada chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and chairwoman of the Nevada Coalition for Suicide Prevention.
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- From Las Vegas Review Journal: OPINION