Love & Romance is a selection of some of my favorite love songs written and sung by my husband and creative partner Stephen Downs. I first heard Stephen sing and play in Los Angeles, at Betty Garrett’s Musical Comedy Workshop, and I was so moved by his words and beautiful melodies that I tapped him on the shoulder and gushed my admiration for his talent. Little did I realize that a tap on the shoulder would blossom into a deep and wonderful friendship and, best of all, to love and to marriage.

I had been urging Stephen to record himself singing his songs for a long time, but there always seemed to be projects we were working on that needed our attention, and so the idea was put on the back burner. Finally, after many requests from Stephen’s friends and admirers, we are proud to make available this collector’s edition of the  words and music of Stephen Downs.

In the words of one of Stephen’s fans:

“Whenever I feel jittery and frayed at the end of the day, I dim the lights, light some candles, pour a glass of wine and put Stephen’s music on, and all is well again.”  Bettye Redding, Los Angeles, CA

 

 -Toni Handcock Downs -