Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Tyler Moore.
Hi Steven Tyler, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Music has been instrumental in my development since I started plunking on my grandma’s piano as a little boy. I started playing guitar at 11 and spent my early years playing in bands, writing songs, and trying to figure out who I was as an artist. In my twenties, I spent a couple years in California, where I learned surfing, played in bands, and learned what it meant to build an identity away from the comfort and familiarity of home. Those years taught me a lot about independence, creativity, and the importance of finding your own voice.
At 26 I returned to Missouri and continued pursuing music in a group with my sister, while building a life and eventually starting a family. Over the years, performing evolved from a passion into a profession, and today I make my living as a full-time solo acoustic musician, performing throughout mid-Missouri. Songwriting has always remained an important outlet over the years. I released my self-titled debut album in 2016. In 2025, I released the album Aloha, which reflected on a lot of the experiences of dealing with gratitude through tribulation. Continuing in that vein, in early 2026 I released the single Reason and Rhyme, which reflected a shift toward a more soulful, old-school sound influenced by classic pop, Motown, as well as some of my younger influences.
One of the biggest turning points in my life came in 2021 when I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. After achieving remission, I relapsed less than a year later and underwent extensive chemo and treatment. There were moments when the future felt very uncertain, but that experience ultimately changed the way I look at life. It taught me not to take faith, health, relationships, or opportunities for granted. There were times when things got very serious, including extended month long hospital stays, infections, and weeks where the focus was simply surviving and getting through the next day. The thought, “just keep breathing, this minute, this second, right now” was literally a day to day mantra. I tried to remember to keep reaching for the things I love: God and my family, as cliche as it sounds. The hospital staff was intrigued by my guitar in the room with me, as I tried to focus what little energy I had there into performing online in short reels. A minute reel felt like an eternity to sing during that time, but in the face of uncertainty, the need to connect finds its greatest strength.
Thankfully, I reached remission with no evidence of disease in 2022, and have remained cancer-free since. Rebuilding the mind and body after treatment became a gritty, uphill mission of its own. I gradually returned to performing, exercise, and strength training with the goal of recovering the person that chaos had swallowed and spit out. Those experiences gave me a deeper appreciation for resilience, and what the human body and mind are capable of overcoming. Last year, one of my life’s highlights was getting to compete in the Show-Me State Games alongside my oldest son and winning athlete of the year. It felt like an impossible victory from the viewpoint of that withered man, lying in shallow breath in a hospital bed, a few short years ago.
When I’m not performing, you’ll often find me in the garden, spending time outdoors, hanging out with my sons, friends, or with my loyal old dog Luke. The simple things have become increasingly important. Surviving cancer gave me a deeper appreciation for everyday life and the people in it.
Today, I see myself as someone still growing. I’m a musician, a storyteller, a father, a blessed survivor, an athlete, and a lifelong student of whatever captures my curiosity. Whether it’s music, health and biology, personal growth, or community, I’m always looking for ways to learn, contribute, and make the most of the time I’ve been given.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Adversity comes in many forms. Returning to life after cancer is an experience that carries weight and scars from wounds you didn’t even know existed. Physically, mentally, emotionally, it’s a back and forth tug of war between the person you were before, and the reality of what is now. My marriage didn’t;’t survive even though I did. My youngest son was born a month after I’d been diagnosed and given chemo the first time, between remission and relapse. My oldest son was 4 and remembers the experience well. I often think how this experience will have affected their lives when they grow up. Were it not for the love of my kids, though, I don’t know that I would be here to answer this question. I still struggle with the anxiety of what could be sometimes, especially when health begins lagging due to the inevitable stresses of day to day life.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Today I make my living as a full-time solo acoustic musician, performing throughout mid-Missouri at wineries, breweries, restaurants, private events, festivals, and community gatherings. While I perform a variety of well-known songs that audiences recognize and love, my goal has never been just to play cover songs. I’ve always tried to create an experience that feels personal and authentic.
What I specialize in is reading a room and building a genuine connection with people. Every audience is different. Some crowds want to sing along and celebrate; others want a soundtrack to a meaningful conversation with friends and family. I’ve learned over thousands of performances how to meet people where they are and create an atmosphere that feels natural.
In addition to performing, songwriting has remained an integral part of who I am. I’ve released multiple original projects over the years, including my self-titled album in 2016, the album Aloha in 2025, and the single Reason and Rhyme most recently. My original music draws from rock, blues, soul, classic pop, and the experiences that have shaped my life.
What I’m most proud of isn’t a specific show, song, or accomplishment. It’s the fact that I’ve been able to build a life centered around music while remaining true to myself. The music industry often encourages artists to chase trends or create a persona, but I’ve always tried to be the same person on stage that I am off stage. The people who hire me and the audiences who come back year after year seem to appreciate that.
If there’s one thing that sets me apart, it’s perspective. Life has given me experiences that have deepened my appreciation for every opportunity to perform. Whether I’m playing for ten people or several hundred, I understand that live music creates moments that people remember. I never take that responsibility for granted. Every show is a chance to connect, encourage, celebrate, and remind people that while “long and weary my road has been,” “every little thing is gonna be alright”!
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I’ve always been an intensely curious person, so my interests tend to wander all over the place. Music is obviously a big one, but I also spend a lot of time reading and listening to content about health, human performance, psychology, philosophy, faith, and personal growth.
Joe Dispenza’s book, Becoming Supernatural, was an integral part of the healing process for me personally.
For podcasts and long-form conversations, I enjoy listening to people who challenge me to think differently. Depending on the season of life, that might include discussions about health, performance, spirituality, science, or creativity.
One of the greatest resources in my own life has actually been nature. Working in the garden, spending time outdoors, training, surfing and swimming when I get the opportunity, or simply taking a long walk helps me clear my head and re-ground.
Perhaps the most important resource of all has been my family, my faith, and the community of people who have supported me through both good seasons and difficult ones.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.steventylermoore.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steven_tyler_moore/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.moore.31149/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@steventylermooremusic
