Before the age of 17, as a member of the teen act PC Quest, Stephen Petree was signed by John Kalodner to Geffen Records. He was also signed by Irving Azoff to Giant Records, and Joe Galante to RCA Records. While at RCA, PC Quest released two CDs, had a top 50 Billboard Pop Hit with “Can I Call You My Girl,” and a top 60 Billboard Pop and top 50 Billboard R&B hit with “After the Summer’s Gone.”
Stephen went on to record four independent rock CDs with Paradigm, a group he founded with his brother Chad Petree. In the mid-90’s Paradigm played hundreds of shows in and around Oklahoma City, as well as receiving consistent local radio play.
In the early 2000’s, Stephen, Chad, and Jeremy Dawson co-founded Shiny Toy Guns, a rock alternative electronica band that was quickly signed to Universal Records. The band achieved commercial success with radio play, a Grammy nomination, record sales, and TV and film licensing. Stephen was one of the main writers on the album, We Are Pilots. That album’s single, “Le Disko,” was played extensively on KROQ and other indie stations, and was licensed for commercials, films, and TV such as Motorola Razor 2, Honda International, Wall Street II, Gossip Girls and more. Shiny Toy Guns had several top 5 hits on Indie and Electronic radio charts in the US and UK.
Between 2003-2008, Stephen released two independent albums, Run, and Resolve To Relax. He toured major cities across the US, and several cuts from each of these albums were placed in TV and film. By working on these albums independently, Stephen discovered his love of music production. This lead him to begin producing and mentoring other artists.
In 2010 Stephen once again signed with Universal under the moniker Petree. He released the album Weakness Makes You Beautiful, which had success in Indie and Christian radio charts, TV and film placements, and tours.
Since 2012, Stephen has focused on writing for TV and film, as well as maintaining a strong emphasis on teaching and artist development. Also since 2012, Stephen has worked as the music director of NorthPark Community Church, where he has written, produced, and performed in multiple albums with the church’s house band, NorthPark Mission. Most recently, Stephen completed a score for a horror film that will release in 2024, and is busy producing new artists and bands.
Some other notable accomplishments include:
Duck Dynasty– 2012-2014 (score)
Dove award winner – album Look Up by Gateway Next (writer)
Family Films award – Movie Finding Love in Quarantine”(score, songwriter, music producer)
Emmy nomination – Movie Finding Love in Quarantine”(score, writer, producer)
Hard Rock Chart: “Fight This War” and “Let’s Breakout,” band Uncured– (writer)
