About John Stea

Man in blue shirt and beige cap sitting by a piano.

Dr. John Stea is a songwriter whose catalog spans Pop, Pop‑Rock, EDM, and Country, delivering polished, high‑impact tracks shaped by a deep commitment to craft. A writer with Resnik Music Group (BMI), he has collaborated with elite musical talent, including Grammy nominee Mary Ann Kennedy, award‑winning songwriter Donald Goodman, and Emmy‑nominated Lucia Nazzaro. His work blends commercial appeal with thoughtful storytelling, reflecting a creative voice that is both versatile and distinctive. Alongside his musical career, Dr. Stea is a physician specializing in psychiatry, preventive medicine, and public health, with additional training and service as a U.S. Air Force flight surgeon. His medical background adds a grounded, human perspective to his songwriting.

Man wearing pilot headset and sunglasses inside an aircraft.

Dr. Stea is the solo writer and composer of Light of a Gold Star, widely recognized as the premier contemporary tribute song honoring Gold Star families and fallen service members. The song has been recorded by several artists, including Katie Mathews, and is frequently performed at memorial services and military ceremonies across the country.

Man playing an acoustic guitar in a music studio.

A champion of our natural environment, Dr Stea is the co‑writer of the acclaimed environmental anthem “Shattered Garden.” The song has been praised by several music reviewers for its vivid environmental imagery and emotional impact, including recognition in climate‑focused music features such as AudioTips’ list of notable songs about climate change. Other songs written by Dr. Stea include the popular Clara Bow tribute “Runnin’ Wild.” He has also composed several instrumental works, including “New York Dream Catcher.” These pieces have earned him recognition for his versatility as both a songwriter and a composer.

A champion of our natural environment, Dr Stea is the co‑writer of the acclaimed environmental anthem “Shattered Garden.” The song has been praised by several music reviewers for its vivid environmental imagery and emotional impact, including recognition in climate‑focused music features such as AudioTips’ list of notable songs about climate change. Other songs written by Dr. Stea include the popular Clara Bow tribute “Runnin’ Wild.” He has also composed several instrumental works, including “New York Dream Catcher.” These pieces have earned him recognition for his versatility as both a songwriter and a composer.

Man wearing sunglasses and a military jacket with patches.

During his service in the U.S. Air Force, Dr. Stea worked within the AF Headquarters Population Health Support Division (PHSD) under the Office of the Air Force Surgeon General. His contributions to injury prevention were recognized across the military, earning him the American Association of Suicidology Presidential Citation.

A champion of our natural environment, Dr Stea is the co‑writer of the acclaimed environmental anthem “Shattered Garden.” The song has been praised by several music reviewers for its vivid environmental imagery and emotional impact, including recognition in climate‑focused music features such as AudioTips’ list of notable songs about climate change. Other songs written by Dr. Stea include the popular Clara Bow tribute “Runnin’ Wild.” He has also composed several instrumental works, including “New York Dream Catcher.” These pieces have earned him recognition for his versatility as both a songwriter and a composer.

Group of soldiers in desert gear posing near a fortified base with sandbags and barbed wire.

He was deployed to Afghanistan, where he was attached to an Army unit. Later in his military career, Dr. Stea was awarded the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal for his contributions to preventive medicine and public health. He was also nominated for the prestigious Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) Award for Excellence in Military Medicine. He subsequently served in the Kentucky Air National Guard.

Beyond his musical, military, and medical careers, Dr. Stea is a dedicated advocate for the ethical treatment of animals and an active member of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). He co‑wrote the animal‑rights anthem If Little Souls Could Speak.