Thomas Rogers Stevens (born 31 October 1970) is an American guitarist, best known for being a founding member of the alternative rock band Blind Melon. He has also been a member of the bands Extra Virgin and The Tender Trio, and he is an attorney.
Biography
Early life
Rogers Stevens was born in West Point, Mississippi, United States, where he grew up with future Blind Melon bandmates Glen Graham and Brad Smith. He was forced to take piano lessons by his mother as a child, and in his high school years, Brad Smith taught Stevens how to play the guitar. Smith and Stevens played together in various cover bands while in high school.
Musical influences
When first beginning to play the guitar, Stevens's early influences were hard rock bands, such as AC/DC and Van Halen, as well as classic rock bands such as The Rolling Stones and R.E.M. The track "No Rain" became a smash hit, and brought Blind Melon into the spotlight, and causing their debut album to eventually go platinum four times over. Blind Melon spent 1993 on tour, opening for acts such as Neil Young and Lenny Kravitz, and starting in 1994, they began headlining their own tour. Around this time, Blind Melon was nominated Grammys for Best New Artist and Best Rock Performance.
After this breakup, he started the band The Tender Trio with Rene Lopez and Royston Langdon of Spacehog fame. The band broke up in March 2006.
Stevens has stated that he plays guitar and paints in his free time. He also has a daughter In December 2014, he was reported to be an associate in the labor and employment group of Philadelphia law firm Ballard Spahr. While there, he was a guitarist for the firm's band, "Ballard Spahr Galactica." He is now an associate in the Labor and Employment group of Philadelphia law firm Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP.
In 2023, Stevens collaborated with Blind Melon bassist Nathan Towne, resulting in the release of a self-titled debut, which also included Stevens providing lead vocals.
Discography
With Blind Melon
Studio Albums:
- Blind Melon, 1992
- Soup, 1995
- Nico, 1996
- Classic Masters (Blind Melon), 2002
- Live At the Palace, 2006
- For My Friends, 2008
EPs/Demos
- Sippin' Time Sessions (Unreleased EP), 1991
With Extra Virgin
Studio Albums:
- Twelve Stories High, 2000
EPs/Demos:
- First Cold Pressing (Demo), 1999
- Rock City (Unreleased Demo), 2002
With The Tender Trio
EPs/Demos:
- Hamburger Demos (Demo), 2004