Welcome to the intersection of music and belief. I’m Steve Perron, multiple Emmy Award winner and nationally recognized singer/songwriter. Like the Blues Brothers, I’m on a mission, but not from God. My mission is to encourage free and open questioning, and discussion, of long-held dogma, religious or otherwise. As a musician and author, I navigate the complex terrain of spiritual deconstruction with a critical yet compassionate eye, offering a voice to those searching for their own truth.
My personal journey has led me from one-time fervent Christian, who spent seven years in the Catholic seminary, to Secular Humanist. My experience demonstrates that deconstruction (a common, and appropriate, term for abandoning religious belief) can lead to profound reconstruction of self. In my book, What’ll We Do With All the Churches?, I explore the historic rise of "Nones" (those who claim no particular religious affiliation) in the United States. I show how my own sometimes gut-wrenching exodus from organized religion coincided with the steep drop in belief in the U.S. in the 21st Century. My book is the first such work to combine memoir with original songs, songs like "Jesus Comes to America", "The Lonely Ghost", and "Bumper Sticker Theology." The songs, personal anecdotes, essays and case examples pulled from recent headlines are presented with journalistic focus and sometimes, humor.
Thanks for dropping in. This site is your bridge to my music, writing, and occasional commentary. Explore my work, learn about my books, and listen to my music, using the links below. If you read my book, thanks! And your review would be deeply appreciated. I am available for speaking engagements and musical performances. As always—never stop asking questions.
"What'll We Do With All the Churches? practically sings itself off the page. What a great idea for a book! Not just a hymnbook, but a human book. His writing is witty — just look at his twist on "Jesus Saves." A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down because then it doesn't taste like medicine at all. Steve makes if taste like fun. If you are somewhere on that (spiritual) journey, What'll We Do With All the Churches? will make a friendly traveling companion in a most delightful way."
— Dan Barker, former Evangelical preacher, co-president, Freedom From Religion foundation (U.S.)
"In this era, stories about religious deconstruction are coming fast and furious. There are variations on a theme, and while all are moving and inspiring, some stand out for their authenticity and humor. Steve Perron's story is one such. With wit and warmth, he shares his unique personal journey, using narrative as well as song. You will enjoy both. Don't miss this important and enriching tale of discovery, creativity, and transformation."
— Gayle Jordan, Executive Director, Recovering From Religion (U.S., U.K., Australia)
"As a fellow musician, I appreciate Steve's exploration of religion in the USA through the lens of worship music. As one who values comedy, his humor tickled my funny bone and made some hard truths easier to swallow. As a clinical counsellor specializing in religious trauma, I value the personal anecdotes he weaves throughout. This book was a pleasure to read."
— Janice Selbie, host, Divorcing Religion Podcast (Canada)
Praise for What'll We Do With All the Churches?
My "other" Life
Before embarking on my career in television, I was traveling a wildly different path. One month after my 14th birthday, I packed up (one footlocker) and left home. I spent the next seven years in the seminary, studying to become a Catholic priest. And let me say, it was a wonderful experience. My years in the seminary helped make me who I am. But, as for becoming a priest, it seems 'God' had other plans. When I left I was still a believer, marrying in the Church and seeing my children baptized. But then, well, things changed. With the full support of my wife, who was also raised Catholic, I eventually left belief behind. I now identify as a secular humanist. How all that happened is a pretty fascinating story, as it often is for ex-believers. I get into all that, no-holds-barred, in my book, What'll We Do With All the Churches?
I currently live just outside St. Louis with my wife of 45 years, Debbie. We have two grown children who, happily, live in the area and two grandsons who, as I say in my book, are the two most perfect grandchildren - in the world!
I remain an avid cyclist, having commuted 11 miles to work for 20 years, and once pedalling from St. Louis to Canada and back, and the following year from St. Louis to Detroit. I am passionate about live music and songwriting, playing out regularly across the St. Louis region and consider myself an "open mic evangelist", hosting one of the most popular and longest running open mics in the region. (The Wolf Cafe in St. Louis County, Tuesdays, 6-9:00.
C'mon out!)
So . . . Who Am I?
I am a retired journalist, winner of more than a dozen Emmy Awards, and a nationally recognized singer/songwriter. (Winner in 2022 of the prestigious "Golden Pick" songwriting contest at the world famous Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.) I spent the bulk of my broadcasting career in local news, at WLS-TV in Chicago (ABC) and KMOV in St. Louis (CBS). Much of that time I was a consumer/investigative producer/reporter, often working undercover. (Early on we would cut holes into purses and briefcases to hold hidden cameras, with concealed microphones taped under our shirts, or hidden in potted plants. By the time I left our hidden cameras were built into false eyeglasses, complete with microphone.) Early in my career I worked as a producer on the short-lived "American Catholic" program produced in Chicago and carried nationally on CBN, the Christian Broadcasting Network.
That's me, at age 18 (maybe 19?) on the left, with the name tag. Taken in 1973 or '74, at our novitiate campus in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA, where I went nude sunbathing with college coeds from UCSB, hung out with a Playboy bunny and almost met John Lennon and Ringo Starr. But, you'll have to read my book for the details on all that!
ORIGINAL BOOKS & MUSIC • PERSONAL FAITH JOURNEYS • RELIGIOUS DECONSTRUCTION • AMERICAN CHRISTIANITY • NONES FOR ALL • ORIGINAL BOOKS & MUSIC • PERSONAL FAITH JOURNEYS • RELIGIOUS DECONSTRUCTION • AMERICAN CHRISTIANITY • NONES FOR ALL •