Artists:As You Go

The As You Go Band is an American Band playing in the Americana style telling the multilayered story of human existence and the journey of mankind. The As You Go Band played its first date five years ago. Since then, the Band has played various venues in the Front Range and Southern Colorado. The Denver Volunteers of America organization calls the As You Go Band “their band.” We have been playing at VOA events for the last three years including playing for the folks who are homeless at the VOA Mission in downtown Denver. We write our own music and our songs focus on things of God. As You Go is not a “praise and worship” band. Rather, we write about life’s astonishing journey via the Americana/Folk/Rock genre. Our songs are generally considered “deep” and guitar driven, which many people are responding to. We recently completed our first CD working with Jim Ratts, (Raven Records), and are beginning to play commercially in the Front Range area.

About the band mates:

Steve Blechschmidt - Steve starting playing guitar seven years ago because of a promise to his daughter ~ “I’ll learn guitar if you continue your piano lessons.” A guitar hasn’t been far from Steve’s side throughout those seven short years. His passion for guitar, music theory, song writing, and performing is daunting. Steve’s study of classical guitar, finger style guitar and his love for long Allman Brother like guitar runs manifests itself in his melodic lead guitar playing. Working closely with his music partner Rick Larson, Steve has been a part of writing over 40 original songs. Steve has performed in front of 300+ audiences including Starbucks crowds, folks who are homeless, and worshippers in churches.

Rick Larson - Rick has been playing guitar since 1959. He made his first commercially released record in 1962. After a break to raise a family he’s back as a part of the As You Go Band writing, singing and playing rhythm guitar. Rick never feels more like himself than when he’s standing on a stage in front of a microphone with a guitar in his hands. He and Steve produced their first commercial release, “It Makes a Difference” during the course of 2006 at Raven Records in Englewood, CO.

Guy Steagall - The As You Go Band is fortunate to have Guy Steagall playing guitar and bass. Guy's liquid speed and amazing ear are something to behold. Guy grew up playing music on the North Side of Chicago, IL. In the 80’s he toured nationally either playing with or sharing concert stages with Robert Palmer, Dave Mason, Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen, Leon Russell, The Grass Roots, Leo Kottke, Chuck Berry, Leslie Gore, Tommy James and The Shondels, and many more. In a 1982 music review Variety Magazine said: “Steagall plays the 6 string lead guitar… and shows impressive technique in high speed picking… Indefatigable, pours it on throughout.”

Galen Achten - Galen started playing drums in 1968 at the age of 14. As the years passed he was in many types of bands; Blues, Jazz and Rock, playing drums and all types of percussion instruments. He played in many night clubs in the Wichita area; mostly Rock clubs but also Jazz and Blues clubs. In 1986, Galen and two good friends with whom he had played in a band for a long time began writing and recording their own music. The band had to break up for reasons beyond their control. Galen stopped playing for some ten years. He got married to Cindy, they had a son Garrett, and he zoned in on his career. Then one day a good friend, Steve Blechschmidt stopped by his house and asked him to blow the dust off his drums and help him put a CD together with Rick Larson. And the outcome is "It Makes a Difference" by the As You Go Band!!.