When Steve Sturm was a kid, he loved making music so much he would stack up books and magazines from the family collection to create a drum kit of sorts in the living room.
He'd tap out rhythms to the beat of musical shows like Porter Waggoner and Bill Anderson. While the books were okay, what he really hungered for was a real drum set, but the family could hardly afford one.
"My family had four kids ... we were not living high on the hog," he said.
But at age 7, his parents found a slightly damaged set in a store in town.
"It was a green-and-gold-plated drum set," he remembers fondly.
Sturm was lucky to grow up in a musical household. At the age of 8, he became somewhat of a novelty, playing wedding gigs with his parents.
"It turned out to be quite a draw," he said. "People were saying: "Have you seen this band with the 8-year-old drummer?"
That drive to perfect the music never left him. In time he transferred his talents to the guitar and eventually the pedal steel guitar.
"It's one of the hardest, miserably hateful instruments to try to master," he said. "But people love it."
Eventually Sturm's love of music drew him to one of the musical capitals of the world, Nashville, where he's made his mark. Not only has Sturm played on the Grand Ole Opry stage dozens of times, he spent 13 years with Travis Tritt's band and appeared on shows like the "Tonight Show."
He's returning home soon to pay homage to his dad, Herb Sturm, who passed away last fall. To honor his father, he and friends have organized the "Herb Sturm Memorial Jam" from 2-6 p.m. April 26 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in St. Martins.
Tickets are $2.
At the event, dozens of singers and musicians will gather together to pick, sing and dance to all kinds of music. The public is invited to attend. People who want to sing or play music are invited to do so.
Sturm described it as a mixture of the Grand Ole Opry and karaoke.
It's an old tradition Sturm hopes to keep alive.
"My folks, when their health allowed, always held a jam one or twice a year," he said. "Five to 25 people would come together to play music and visit. It was always fun."
The event is meant to remember and honor his father, who always supported his musical career - as long as it came with a dose of practicality.
"He never said, "No.' He did say, "What if?'" Sturm said.
It was his dad who encouraged him to attend trade school to be a machinist. But Herb also cancelled the family camping trips so they could attend musical conventions instead.
But even the machinist's degree helped Sturm musically, when a renowned steel guitar builder found a use for Steve's skills.
Sturm said he will be forever grateful to his dad, who believed in his talent.
"Very few people get to live their dreams," he said. "Since he did so much for me, I want to give back."
Proceeds will support the benevolent projects of the Knights of Columbus.