Steve Rhinesmith has served as Music Leader at Fairlawn-West since 2005. He plays guitar, sings, and directs the BASIC Band, which provides music for Sunday morning worship. An Akron native and former social studies teacher, he and his wife Debbie own and operate  4 Corners Maps, an online retail store specializing in map products for business, education and decorative display. Steve began playing guitar in the 1960’s “golden age” of folk and rock music, and played in various groups during and after his high school and college years. After a long hiatus from playing music, his spiritual journey led him to an entirely new channel for it. His passion is to perform contemporary music that lifts, fills and helps connect the spirit to the greater music of creation. Steve likes using songs with catchy hooks and messages that bridge the secular/spiritual gap, touching both heart and mind in a holistic (holy!) experience. Communal worship calls for reflection and celebration, and he tries to select music that will enhance both. 

Sample musical interests: David Crosby,  Robin Mark, Joni Mitchell, Noel Paul Stookey, John Michael Talbot,  Paul Winter.

Spiritual links of interest:  Abwoon Study Circle, Creation Spirituality, Evolutionary Christianity.