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"Valentine's Day is an extra special day for me this year," says Steven Ybarra, whose song “Angel in My Life” (titled “Love Love Love” on his Love Love Love CD) appears on the new Valentine’s Day collection, Date Night.
"The new CD is a compilation of love songs from various artists, and I am very blessed to have my song included in the mix. Date Night is part of a special new promotion by Jones & Son Jewelry for promoting their large line of engagement rings." You can have a listen to Date Night at either Android Market page or iTunes.
"Starting February 8, if you download the Blingfinder app for your iPhone, iPad, or Adroid, you will hear my song along with the others on the album."
In keeping with the love, love, love theme, Ybarra says "If you know of anybody ready to pop the question this Valentine's Day, you might suggest my song 'Lifetime Valentine' to add to the ambiance! It's also a popular wedding song for any upcoming weddings you may know about!"
With seven San Diego Music Awards nominations, including four wins, Texas-born Steven Ybarra began learning music at the age of three when his family got him a drum set and an accordion. Being raised in a family of Germans and Hispanics, his culture at home was colored and full of variety as he listened to everyone from Julio Iglesias to Helmut Lotti.
Ybarra attended Catholic school through the 8th grade, which he says set a spiritual foundation for his profound beliefs to this day.
For a time, he fronted 34Below, which released five CDs and toured nearly every state in the country. "I knew that I had been blessed with talent," he says. "I just was not sure how or where I would use it. Growing up I just wanted to be successful in whatever I did. For awhile I wanted to be an attorney and know everything about justice."
Asked about his favorite gig, he says "It would have to be a toss-up between the time that John [Ondrasik], the lead singer from Five for Fighting, who was our opening act, came up and sang one of my songs with me during our performance. But that would just about equal the time that we opened for Hootie and Blowfish and Darius came up and also sang a tune with me."
His worst gig? "It probably would be when I participated in a variety show. It was, like, out of bizarro world, sort of David Lynch meets The Twilight Zone. The talent was scary."
After 1000 shows and years of touring, Ybarra suffered encephalitis, an acute inflammation of the brain commonly caused by a viral infection, forcing him to quit 34Below.
"Having a serious illness can trigger some extensive soul searching," he says. "I found a part of myself that was yearning to do something new and different and now the timing is right. I am very thankful and blessed to have this opportunity to share my music. I want to create honest, thought-provoking songs with passion and meaning. Something people can grab on to and have it leave them with a sense of knowing themselves a little bit better..."
Since 2005, he's been writing and recording new material and performing as a solo act at various venues around San Diego. His album Love Love Love was released in 2008. In September 2009, he won Best Acoustic at the San Diego Music Awards.
Ybarra recorded his 2011 album Best Days at the Dream Center in L.A. He also serves as worship director at Grace Point Church.
UPCOMING SHOWS:
Thursday, February 2: Live performance at the Rancho Bernardo Inn
"I'll be on stage from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the beautiful Rancho Bernardo Inn at the Veranda Fireside Lounge & Restaurant. It'll definitely make for a nice evening out! I'll be on the outdoor patio, weather permitting; otherwise I'll be inside."
Monday, February 13
Rancho Santa Fe Rotary Club's Valentine's Day 'Love Love Love" program, Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, 95951 Linea Del Cielo
"This is a great opportunity to network and mingle with the Rotary Club members of the Rancho Santa Fe Branch's annual Valentine's program. The event starts at noon, and I will perform a few songs during the program. There is a $20 fee which includes a buffet lunch. The Rotary club is a non-profit organization, and part of the proceeds from the event will benefit a non-profit organization.
Friday February 24
Live performance at the the Old California Coffee House in San Marcos: "This is a really fun venue and a nice way to relax on a Friday night. Bring your friends and stop by for a cup of great coffee, great food, music and fun!"
Saturday, April 28
Live performance at the 28th Mission Federal Annual Art Walk, 5:00 - 6:00 PM on the main stage, Little Italy (corner of India and Date Street)
"This event is a fine arts festival held every year in downtown San Diego. This year marks the 28th year for the festival, and includes art exhibits, food, music, events for kids and other special activities."
"Valentine's Day is an extra special day for me this year," says Steven Ybarra, whose song “Angel in My Life” (titled “Love Love Love” on his Love Love Love CD) appears on the new Valentine’s Day collection, Date Night.
"The new CD is a compilation of love songs from various artists, and I am very blessed to have my song included in the mix. Date Night is part of a special new promotion by Jones & Son Jewelry for promoting their large line of engagement rings." You can have a listen to Date Night at either Android Market page or iTunes.
"Starting February 8, if you download the Blingfinder app for your iPhone, iPad, or Adroid, you will hear my song along with the others on the album."
In keeping with the love, love, love theme, Ybarra says "If you know of anybody ready to pop the question this Valentine's Day, you might suggest my song 'Lifetime Valentine' to add to the ambiance! It's also a popular wedding song for any upcoming weddings you may know about!"
With seven San Diego Music Awards nominations, including four wins, Texas-born Steven Ybarra began learning music at the age of three when his family got him a drum set and an accordion. Being raised in a family of Germans and Hispanics, his culture at home was colored and full of variety as he listened to everyone from Julio Iglesias to Helmut Lotti.
Ybarra attended Catholic school through the 8th grade, which he says set a spiritual foundation for his profound beliefs to this day.
For a time, he fronted 34Below, which released five CDs and toured nearly every state in the country. "I knew that I had been blessed with talent," he says. "I just was not sure how or where I would use it. Growing up I just wanted to be successful in whatever I did. For awhile I wanted to be an attorney and know everything about justice."
Asked about his favorite gig, he says "It would have to be a toss-up between the time that John [Ondrasik], the lead singer from Five for Fighting, who was our opening act, came up and sang one of my songs with me during our performance. But that would just about equal the time that we opened for Hootie and Blowfish and Darius came up and also sang a tune with me."
His worst gig? "It probably would be when I participated in a variety show. It was, like, out of bizarro world, sort of David Lynch meets The Twilight Zone. The talent was scary."
After 1000 shows and years of touring, Ybarra suffered encephalitis, an acute inflammation of the brain commonly caused by a viral infection, forcing him to quit 34Below.
"Having a serious illness can trigger some extensive soul searching," he says. "I found a part of myself that was yearning to do something new and different and now the timing is right. I am very thankful and blessed to have this opportunity to share my music. I want to create honest, thought-provoking songs with passion and meaning. Something people can grab on to and have it leave them with a sense of knowing themselves a little bit better..."
Since 2005, he's been writing and recording new material and performing as a solo act at various venues around San Diego. His album Love Love Love was released in 2008. In September 2009, he won Best Acoustic at the San Diego Music Awards.
Ybarra recorded his 2011 album Best Days at the Dream Center in L.A. He also serves as worship director at Grace Point Church.
UPCOMING SHOWS:
Thursday, February 2: Live performance at the Rancho Bernardo Inn
"I'll be on stage from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the beautiful Rancho Bernardo Inn at the Veranda Fireside Lounge & Restaurant. It'll definitely make for a nice evening out! I'll be on the outdoor patio, weather permitting; otherwise I'll be inside."
Monday, February 13
Rancho Santa Fe Rotary Club's Valentine's Day 'Love Love Love" program, Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, 95951 Linea Del Cielo
"This is a great opportunity to network and mingle with the Rotary Club members of the Rancho Santa Fe Branch's annual Valentine's program. The event starts at noon, and I will perform a few songs during the program. There is a $20 fee which includes a buffet lunch. The Rotary club is a non-profit organization, and part of the proceeds from the event will benefit a non-profit organization.
Friday February 24
Live performance at the the Old California Coffee House in San Marcos: "This is a really fun venue and a nice way to relax on a Friday night. Bring your friends and stop by for a cup of great coffee, great food, music and fun!"
Saturday, April 28
Live performance at the 28th Mission Federal Annual Art Walk, 5:00 - 6:00 PM on the main stage, Little Italy (corner of India and Date Street)
"This event is a fine arts festival held every year in downtown San Diego. This year marks the 28th year for the festival, and includes art exhibits, food, music, events for kids and other special activities."