Steven Smiley was born and raised in Limestone County Alabama. Being raised in a musical family, it was pretty much a given he would play and sing. He started playing bass at the age of 16. He then moved on to the resonator guitar (dobro) around the age of 18 and it quickly became his main instrument. Soon after, he joined his dad, who plays banjo, in a full time traveling band, The Flint River Boys. While with the band, he soaked up as much musical knowledge and experience as he could. Eventually, Steven left the group to pursue other opportunities. He got together with close and very talented friends to form a regional bluegrass band (Roanoke). "Playing and traveling with those people was a great learning experience and a lot of fun". Roanoke was successful for the time they were together, but the time came when their jobs began to interfere with their ability to play shows, so they disbanded. "Many members of that group have gone to have great musical careers".

     During his time away from playing, he was fortunate enough to meet his beautiful wife Tonya. They have been blessed with three wonderful children; Jacoda, Emma and Joshua. After a year or so of rest from playing every weekend and getting used to being a dad, the music bug bit him again. He began filling in with local bands playing various instruments. He filled in with the group Full Circle, headed by Freddy Craig. "This was a real treat for me because Freddy was one of my "dobro mentors" early on. Due to health reasons Freddy left the group and we picked up Steve McCulloch and became Sunday Tradition." Steven says he is blessed to have found a group that is steadfast on serving the Lord with the talents he has given. Also, he is thankful for his wife and kids who back him in his travels. Steven plays a 2004 Meredith resonator guitar in all his performances. Meredith is the chosen instrument for many of the top resonator guitar players. Steven's is the fifth guitar made by this great builder.