Steve Vaus wrote the Jerome’s and Barona Casino TV jingles, and he’s done studio work for Willie Nelson, Kim Carnes, and Randy Travis. In addition, he has created music for network television programs, pro sports teams, the America's Cup, the Olympics, the World Series, and the United States Navy Blue Angels.
Vaus performs and records as Buck Howdy, a singing cowboy who sings children’s tunes. He was nominated for Grammy Awards for children’s records released in 2007 and 2008. He was nominated again for two 2010 Grammy Awards: Best Musical Album for Children for Pete Seeger Tribute: Ageless Kids’ Songs and Best Spoken-Word Album for Children for Aaaah! Spooky, Scary Stories & Songs.
On election day in November 2012, the Singing Cowboy won his bid for a seat on the Poway City Council, later becoming Mayor.
The Nashville West scene has proven lucrative for the performer, judging by his 2018 personal financial interest disclosure report filed under state law in March 2018. Steve Vaus Productions is valued at between $100,000 and $1 million, with annual income pegged at between $10,000 and $100,000. A partnership in a companion company, VausMedia, aka VausVideo, was valued between $10,000 and $100,000, with income listed between $10,000 and $100,000.
Says Vaus’s wife Corrie on her LinkedIn page: “At VausVideo, we create engaging video and written content in a world where you must stand out to be noticed. We’ve worked with USS Midway, Classroom of the Future Foundation, Broadway San Diego, Salute to Teachers, DayTripper Tours, A Step Beyond, Flourish San Diego, GenerateHope, Hawthorne Country Store, Crystal Gardens Florist, and Soroptimists of North San Diego. On a side note: the resume includes 16 Emmys and 9 Golden Mics.”