Stewart Varnado has been the pianist for the Dixie Echoes since 1998. Stewart’s intense dedication to the perfection of his craft has made him one of the best and most popular pianists in Gospel Music today. This proves why fans have voted him as one of the top 5 musicians in America for nearly a decade. In addition to his performances on stage, Stewart has become a promoter for several of Gospel Music’s biggest events including the Gospel Jubilee Cruise, J.G. Whitfield Memorial Sing, Suwannee River Jubilee, and the National Quartet Convention.

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/Musician in Gospel Music. Stewart has shared the stage with some of Gospel Music’s greatest pianists as a cast member of Anthony Burger’s Pianorama and Roger Bennett’s Parade of Pianos. He has released several solo instrumental recordings, including the 2005 Southern Gospel Album of the Year for “The Southern Gospel Players (Volume One)”.

NAME:
Stewart Varnado

BIRTHDATE:
September 11

HOMETOWN:
Franklinton, LA

WHERE YOU RESIDE NOW:
Cantonment, FL (Pensacola)

HOME CHURCH:
Canaan Baptist Church

SALVATION EXPERIENCE:
I was saved when I was nine years old. We had just left the evening church service and driving home. Before our car was even out of sight of the church, I asked mom to turn around. I felt God’s calling and in the little church office/sound room at the back of the old Canaan Baptist Church sanctuary, my pastor prayed with me and led me to the Lord. God has blessed me tremendously in so many ways, I want to live my life to serve and uplift Him.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT STEWART

"Stewart Varnado is a name that you should remember because you will be hearing it a lot in the future when people talk about Southern Gospel pianists. I remember the first time I heard Stewart play. I was amazed, to say the least! Then they told me that he was only 15 (at the time) and I experienced a new emotion....jealousy!! Seriously, this young man has an incredible talent and I look forward to watching his career progress."
Roger Bennett, Legacy Five


"Stewart is one of the best quartet pianists that I have seen walk on stage in a long time. He can take the old traditional quartet songs and old hymns and play them in such a way that sets him apart from other accompanists. His personality and showmanship added with his extremely versatile style makes his truly a rare and remarkable talent."
Les Beasley, The Florida Boys


"He has truly been a blessing and an asset to the Dixie Echoes. The outgoing personality and natural charm of this young man has captured the hearts of people everywhere he goes. Dedicating his life and talents to the glory of God, Stewart has distinguished himself in the Gospel Music Field."
Billy Todd, The Dixie Echoes


"Here's another throwback to the old days. Stewart is the fine pianist of the Dixie Echoes. Randy Shelnut made a wise move in taking on a keyboard man, freeing himself up to sing lead without being tied down to the piano. Stewart is extremely solid and is a huge asset to the quartet's stage presentation and sound."
Roy Pauley, Singing News Columnist


"When you say the names Roger Bennett, Roger Talley, or Andrew Ishee, you automatically know we are talking about some of the greatest pianists in our industry. Go ahead and add Stewart Varnado to the list of the next generation of greats. He is a tremendous asset to our industry."
Greg Bentley, Singing News Columnist


"I recently attended the 1st Annual James D Vaughn Festival in Lawrenceburg, TN, and was blown away on Saturday night. There were five quartets there that night, and I thoroughly enjoyed them all-the crowds were amazing and the singing was great! I also love great pianists, and I saw one that night that really impressed me. I had seen the Dixie Echoes before several years ago, but I watched them that night in total amazement. Many people compare pianists like Andrew Ishee to the great Anthony Burger and Channing Eleton to Garry Jones. Well, the young pianist of the Dixie Echoes was great, I would call him THE next Roger Bennett. His playing was extremely tasteful and he was very classy. He complemented the group at all times, just like Roger did for the Cathedrals, plus this young man has a sense of humor that kept myself and everyone in the audience laughing hard! He is the most all around professional pianist that I have seen in a very long time. I purchased both of his tapes that night and found that he, unlike most of the pianists of today, still plays Traditional Southern Gospel Music, and not some contemporary or jazzy style like other young pianists are changing to. If you have not seen the Dixie Echoes lately, you should go see them, and meet their pianist, that little red headed kid stole my heart that night."
Your Views, Letter To The Editor (printed in the July 2000 Singing News Magazine)


"Let me mention one other tremendous talent, Stewart Varnado. Stewart plays for the Dixie Echoes and he's easily one of Southern Gospel Music's best. If you mix together a little Roger Bennett, Anthony Burger, Derrell Stewart, and Andrew Ishee, you've got Stewart's composition. It's only a matter of time before audiences everywhere realize this red-haired kid is one of Southern Gospel's Best!"
Danny Jones, Editor of Singing News

"Stewart Varnado is one of the finest young pianists that I know. He is a true student of Southern Gospel Music and is doing his part to keep the long tradition of Southern Gospel piano playing alive and well. Take it from me, you will enjoy this his latest recording!"
Roger Bennett, Legacy Five

"Stewart, a promising pianist, should go far in the Southern Gospel Quartet Business. I've tried to show him all that I know, Playing and Comedy!"
Derrell Stewart, Florida Boys

Visit The Dixie Echoes

  • HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING:
    Though I don’t really remember it, my mom says that I started playing at the age of four. I do remember that when I was about five years old, I played and sang “Love Lifted Me” at church. That very night, everyone began to really encourage me not to sing again!

    FAVORITE COLOR:
    Brown

    FAVORITE BIBLE SCRIPTURE:
    1 John 1:7 – “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

    FAVORITE GROUP(s):
    Oak Ridge Quartet, Gaither Vocal Band

    FAVORITE SONG(s):
    Tell My Friends, Camping In Canaan

    FAVORITE PERFORMER(s):
    Lee Greenwood, Ronnie Milsap

    FAVORITE MUSICIAN(s):
    Gordon Mote, Roger Bennett, Floyd Cramer, Pig Robbins, John Hughey

    FAVORITE TV SHOW(s):
    Monk, Psych, The Office

    FAVORITE MOVIE(s):
    Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Nutty Professor

    FAVORITE VACATION SPOT:
    Cruise Ship – Don’t care what destination, I enjoy the ship the best

    FAVORITE GUM:
    Supper Bubble (original & apple flavors)

    FAVORITE SNACK(s):
    Refrigerated Twix candy bars, I also like to make homemade ice cream then freeze it for a few days and then eat it with powdered Nestle chocolate sprinkled on top. My worst habit is melting slices of American cheese on top of BBQ Wavy Lays chips.

    FAVORITE DRINK(s):
    Dr. Pepper, Welch’s Strawberry, IBC Cream Soda

    FAVORITE DESSERT(s):
    King Cake, Beignets

    FAVORITE FOOD(s):
    Pizza, Chicken Quesadillas

    FAVORITE RESTAURANT(s):
    Olive Garden, Papa Johns, Cracker Barrel, Kooter Brown's

    FAVORITE SHOPPING PLACE(s):
    Lowes, Best Buy

    FAVORITE HOBBIES:
    Internet, Watching TV

    WHEN I'M HOME YOU CAN FIND ME:
    Running Errands, Filling Product Orders, Processing Cruise Reservations

    WHO MOST INSPIRES YOU:
    Billy Todd, Pat Barker

    PERSON YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO BE LIKE:
    Roger Bennett

    WHAT ARE YOUR PET PEEVES:
    Bad Television Commercials

    SOMETHING PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU:
    I don't like hugging. When I see people coming at me to hug, I cringe. I love the fans, I'm just not a hugging person.