Stewart was introduced to Southern Gospel Music at the age of 15, when a local group from Picayune, Mississippi, called to see if he would be interested in playing for them. That first local group was only together for a little over a year, then Stewart joined a group from Laurel, MS, called Masterpeace (taking over a position left vacant by Andrew Ishee). In December of 1997, Masterpeace changed their name to Master's Voice. The group consisted of Josh Garner on lead, Tim Duncan on bass, Lenwood Morris on tenor, Tim Shelby on baritone, and Stewart Varnado on piano. Stewart was a high school senior throughout his stay with these groups.

Soon after he graduated high school, Stewart accepted a position as pianist for the legendary Dixie Echoes Quartet from Pensacola, Florida. He joined the Dixie Echoes in September 1998. In 1999, Stewart was nominated in the top five Horizon Individuals in the Singing News Fan Awards, and since 2002, he has been nominated every year as Favorite Pianist. Stewart is a cast member of Roger Bennett's Parade of Pianos, held each year at the National Quartet Convention, and is the pianist for the Tim Lovelace Instrumental Jam Session.

From October 2001 to February 2004, Stewart also performed with a scrap-iron quartet called the Five Broke Single Boys. The group consisted of the single members of the Dixie Echoes and Florida Boys at the time. Gene McDonald sang bass, Randy "Scoot" Shelnut Jr. sang baritone, Josh Garner sang lead, Billy Hodges sang tenor, and Stewart Varnado was the pianist. The group recorded one self-titled recording as a fundraiser project for the SGMA, with all proceeds donated to the organization. They performed only at major venues such as the Suwannee River Jubilee, the Brumley Sing, the biggest all-night sing in the world in Bonifay, Florida, and at Bill Bailey's winter convention.

Stewart has released several solo instrumental recordings, including the 2005 Southern Gospel Album of the Year (in the U.S. Gospel News Awards) for "The Southern Gospel Players". Stewart credits Roger Bennett and Derrell Stewart as his piano heroes. His first three southern Gospel concerts featured the Dixie Echoes, Florida Boys, and Cathedrals. Stewart spends a lot of time in the recording studio, playing on projects from groups all over the country. His playing can be heard on his solo recordings, releases by the Dixie Echoes, Florida Boys bass vocalist Gene McDonald's solo recording, and many more.

FACTS:
DATE OF BIRTH: September 11, 1980
JOINED THE DIXIE ECHOES: October 1, 1998
HOMETOWN: Franklinton, Louisiana
EDUCATION: Graduated Class of 1998
HOBBIES: Collecting Old Dixie Echoes Records, Collecting old coins, Southern Gospel CD's, and old copies of the Singing News Magazines. I enjoy reading older copies and see how things have changed, and old Pictures! I am only missing three issues of the old Singing News "newspaper issues" from the 1970's. CLICK HERE to see the missing links of my collections, and if you could help me out I would appreciate it.

FAVORITES:
RESTAURANTS: Cracker Barrel, Texas Roadhouse, Boston Market
TV SHOW: Monk
SONG: I'll Meet You On The Other Side Of Jordan - Dale Shelnut; Call Me Gone - Kenny Hinson
ALBUM: Pillars Of Faith - Gold City, The New Nashville Cats - Mark O'Connor,
   Lester 'Roadhog' Moran and The Cadillac Cowboys
FEMALE SINGERS: Lauren Talley
MALE SINGERS: Tim Duncan, Josh Garner
MUSICIANS: Roger Bennett, Floyd Cramer