"Free Again" - Forty-Six Live at Sunset Station from Forty-Six on Vimeo.

Born in Austin, Texas, Steven Ryan Marcus grew up in a family that loves music. At an early age Steven showed his ability to sing and perform in front of large crowds. This was evident in his 4th grade talent show when Steven memorized and sang in its entirety Marty Robbin's classic "El Paso." Steven learned the words to the song after hearing them repeatedly on a family RV trip to the Grand Canyon. Steven also tried his hand at violin and had some success in band playing the trumpet but these instruments just didn't seem to fit. Steven opted to play football in high school. By the end of his Sophomore year Steven began to explore his father's acoustic guitar and soon fell in love. Steven took a few guitar lessons and soon began writing song after song, spending hours recording his own music and sharing his CD's with his high school friends, who were and are to this day a great encouragement to Steven.

As Steven transitioned from football to music he was invited to be a leader in the music ministry at his congregation, Community Bible Church. This proved to be a lifesaver for Steven, giving him the focus and commitment he needed in his adolescent life. Steven played lead guitar in the student choir; Puresound and led the band in worship for the 5th & 6th grade students for 2 years.

When Steven decided to focus solely on music he bought a Fender electric guitar and started learning some classic southern rock and blues songs from the Allman Brothers, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendrix. Steven's Senior year of high school he decided to take a music theory class when he met Damon Martinez, a drummer and Matt Franke, a bass player. Together they formed Steven's first band; Four, Six & Skins and the band started gigging at local restaurants and clubs around town, always with Steven's faithful high school gang in attendance. One of the venues they frequented was the now defunct Rolling Oaks Bar and Grill where some of Central Texas' finest musicians played. One of those musicians was Steven's cousin Ryan Bingham. It was this fact that the booking agent at Rolling Oaks decided to book Steven's band. It was soon apparent that Steven had not only a knack for singing and playing the guitar he was now heavily into writing his own songs; songs that seem to transcend generations and even genre's. Steven's early Southern Rock and Blues influence were melding with the Americana influences of his cousin, Ryan Bingham.

In the summer of 2008 Damon headed off to college on the east coast and the band brought in a new drummer Jonathan Carter at which time they dropped the "skins" and changed the name to simply "46." Believe it or not the band decided on the name because it was easier to text the number 46 when calling practice. The word was getting out on 46 and in late August Eric Clapton made them a top friend on his myspace. It seems that Clapton's talent scout's were keeping an eye on the band and by placing them on their top friend's list the band started receiving up to 500 hits a day on their own myspace.

As more and more venues were opening up to the band, the biggest gig for 46 was just around the corner. In October 2008, 46 manager contacted the City of San Antonio to inquire about the upcoming New Year's Celebration. San Antonio puts on the states largest New Year's celebration which attracts over 250,000 to downtown San Antonio. This huge party boast 4 stages and the band hoped to play on one of them. Initially the city denied the request but 46's manager wouldn't take no for an answer and after sending several press kits to various people in charge of the event 46 received a call from the talent buyer. After a few days of negotiations 46 secured not only a spot on the line up but the headliner for the largest party in the great state of Texas with press coverage from the San Antonio Express News and Live TV coverage from Kens 5.

As Freshman at Texas State, Steven and Matt secured a spot at the University's Annual Talent Show where 46 played for over 1,000 people and took second place to an all Senior group. But that was just the beginning, next the band was entered in Texas State University's Annual Battle of the Bands where they took FIRST Place winning $500 and securing a spot in the University's annual Riverfest opening for a national act this past May.

In August of 2008 Steven and his band 46 performed in the summer long battle of the bands Summer Sounds at Sunset. This contest featured 27 bands from around Texas. Steven and 46 took first place and claimed a prize of $2500 a Gibson Guitar and Recording Studio Time.

Stevens first full year gigging around Central Texas has been full of some achievements that many lifelong musicians never experience and for that he is grateful, but the fire to do more burns ever brighter today and Steven has many more goals to achieve in the future.