Steve Meisner was born April 17th, 1961 in Beloit, Wisconsin and was raised in Whitewater, where he currrently resides. He began playing the piano accordion at age five, performing soon after on stage with his father, Verne Meisner. By age 6, he was winning local talent contests and building the foundation for what has been a life long career in music. 

Taking lessons from his Dad was not an easy task, but playing music was. "When you are a kid, it's important to do something that you see your Dad doing. When I was young I was exposed to crowds of people dancing and having a good time while Dad, my hero, provided all the enjoyment. So you can see that it was no chore for me to want to play music." 

With an abundance of inspiration around him and a real desire to play music, Steve became interested in learning how to play other instruments. At age 9, his next instrument of choice was the cornet which he played with the Washington Grade School Band and Whitewater Junior High Band before moving onto the tuba in High School. Because of his early accordion lessons from his father, reading bass and treble clefs was made easier and eventually lead him to other instruments. "Reading music was always difficult for me because my ear was always quicker than my eyes, and more accurate too. I'll never forget the time my High School band teacher, Mr. D., asked me to stand and play a part of a song correctly for the trumpet section. He was a very intuitive musician and knew I wasn't reading either, but knew I'd play the part correctly by ear. At my reluctance, he encouraged me to sign up for solo competition during the State Band Competitions. I ended up with 1st place metals for the Band and Solo competitions. I'll always be thankful to all of my music teachers for their encouragement." 

At age 12, the experimenting continued with the bass guitar, one which Judy, his mother, bought from a neighbor at a rummage sale. By 15, he was performing full time with the Verne Meisner Orchestra and the New Frontier Dance Group. Although briefly, he also performed with two other popular Milwaukee polka bands, Spike Micale and Joey Klass. "I respect them both, they are anchors in my career that helped open my naive eyes and ears to other music." 

One day, my Dad came home from a weekend out of town with a small black case. He didn't say a word about it and that drove me crazy, so after he left the house I opened it. I was thirteen and that was the first time I strapped on the button box." It was then that Steve began another new career, this time on the button accordion. This old fashioned European accordion won him two 1st place trophies and launched his recording career on his Dad's recording, "Autumn Leaves". 

"I always wanted my own band and the old saying, (Jack of all trades, master of none), kept popping into my head. When I was sixteen, I decided to take piano lessons to learn more music theory. There weren't any advanced accordion teachers left in my area and the piano always entranced me, so the choice was simple. However, I never intended to make the piano my main instrument, the accordion was always my preference." 

The Steve Meisner Band, organized when Steve was 17, was his lifelong dream come true. The original group consisting of cousins Carl & Rick Hartmann and Larry Sokolowski has traveled from one end of the country to the other performing at clubs and festivals, large and small. Steve has performed with his group for nearly 20 years and is currently averaging 200 engagements per year. In addition to performing throughout the United States, he has hosted seven tours around the globe. 

Steve has been performing with his Dad for 30 years and continues to perform with him whenever possible. "I still work with my Dad too, he has always been my idol. From the time I was little, I always wanted to be part of his band. He never seems to run out of surprises, just when I think I know it all, he'll pull something out of his hat." 

Recording music has played an important role in Steve's successful career. Through recording he explores his ability to compose and arrange. In his earlier compositions, he co-wrote with his brother, Daniel, who wrote the lyrics. One of their compositions, "I Love You" originally released on the LP"Songs of Love", was featured on a Grammy nominated recording by the Zolka Brothers. "Like my Dad and Mom, Daniel is a natural poet and gifted artist. He can see the array of colors in black and white and has the ability to put that into words. I admire that. When I write a song the words and music must have a meaning for me, otherwise what's the point?" 

Steve has performed with dozens of entertainers from Frankie Yankovic to Myron Floren. He has numerous recording and production credits in audio, video, and television, and has many awards for his work. But, what is really important to him? "To date, aside from a few detours, my life is much like I believed it would be. I have a successful career in music that I am very proud of, I have a wonderful wife and three great kids, and good friends and loyal fans. I've been very fortunate and blessed to be able to do what I love to do and make a living at the same time. I guess my goals in life have always been simple; Be the best you can be doing what you like to do, make as many people happy as you can, and be as happy and as satisfied as you can with the experience." 

If anyone asks Steve if he has any hobbies, he would simply say "Cars". "My uncle, Hank, sells them and my Dad buys them. It's sort of, Meisner family disease, that we are all addicted to. I have a barn full, and would love to have a museum full."