About John Stea

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

Dr. John Stea is a physician and songwriter whose work blends clinical expertise with creative expression. He specializes in psychiatry, preventive medicine, and public health, and brings a unique perspective shaped by his additional training and service as a U.S. Air Force flight surgeon. Dr. Stea is a writer with Resnik Music Group (BMI) and has collaborated with elite musical talent, including Grammy nominee Mary Ann Kennedy, award‑winning songwriter Donald Goodman, and Emmy‑nominated Lucia Nazzaro. His catalog spans Pop, Pop‑Rock, EDM, and Country, delivering a versatile range of polished, high‑impact tracks.

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.

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.

During his service in the U.S. Air Force, Dr. Stea worked within the Headquarters Population Health Support Division 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.

Man wearing sunglasses and a military jacket with patches.

During his service in the U.S. Air Force, Dr. Stea worked within the Headquarters Population Health Support Division 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.

During his service in the U.S. Air Force, Dr. Stea worked within the Headquarters Population Health Support Division 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.

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. Dr. Stea is also a committed environmental advocate and the lead writer of the acclaimed ballad Shattered Garden, a powerful tribute to the natural world.