Music therapist, Stevie Cook, brings comfort to the North Valley

A renewed enthusiasm

After playing music for five decades, Stevie Cook’s journey took an unexpected turn the last few years—he began to play for terminally ill people getting ready to cross over to the next stage of existence. “It’s been quite an honor,” said Cook. “Playing music for the terminally ill is a common practice in many other countries, and it’s becoming more common in the U.S.” Music therapy pre-dated hospices, and Cook has felt a certain connection and spirituality with his listeners.

“Along with all my other musical pursuits these days, I’ve been feeling a renewed enthusiasm for my craft.” Cook’s first “performance” came at three years old, when his grandmother took him to church and had him sing the hymns with the congregation. “After I did that, I never had stage fright,” he said. Cook began guitar lessons in the sixth grade, and started his first band in seventh grade. They actually began playing around at parties and dances around the East Bay and even got paid.

Cook moved from Lake Tahoe to Chico in 1973, sight unseen, and lived in a large communal-like house. “Coming to Chico was kind of a fluke,” he said. It’s a fluke from which Chico music fans have greatly benefitted. Along with playing in Spark ‘n Cinder, a longtime funk, rock, fusion, and dance jam group. He also played in Road Raisin and the Butte Creek Family Band. Along the way, Cook has taken the stage with many legendary Chico music scene performers. From 1987 to 1995, he played in the Steve Cook Band, with amplifiers and electric guitars; he still manages to get in three or four gigs a year with the group.

Back in the ‘80’s, local bar Cabo’s was the place to be, and great friend to music Don Dibono, who sadly passed away in December of 2021, was a promoter who not only brought in many outside groups, but also made it a point to provide a venue for local acts. Along with promoters Bob Wallen and Dan Dewayne, he kept the music playing.

Currently, he and local pianist John Seid bring in different people to play small venues like Hotel Diamond, Duffy’s, and Farmstar Pizza. He and his wife, Diane Garner, also play numerous backyard parties, weddings, and house concerts. He has a CD out called “Deep Waters” and will release another soon.

“It has been a great life,” said Cook. “Music has provided us with what we’ve needed on many levels.” He and Diane have a combined family of three kids— Oshan, Jessie, and Micah—as well as two grandchildren.

If you’d like to keep track of where Stevie Cook is playing, check out his Facebook page and you can contact him at sandhillstevie@gmail.com.