ABOUT MR. KNICK KNACK

Mr. Knick Knack, a.k.a. Steve Rossi, was born and raised in Northern Virginia. A typical rock 'n roll-loving teenager, he taught himself guitar and piano at age 16 and the music has never stopped. But the music was only the beginning.

Steve has always been enthralled with the power of the human heart. Having worked with kids from 1 to 92 at various houses of worship, education and Assisted Living, he began to use his music to teach children of all ages the supreme power we all have over fear. Steve saw that disadvantaged children in particular had not received the message of the power of their little hearts, and set out to spread the word through his music.

In 1998, while working at Border's Books, Steve started a weekend musical storytime program for kids, and Mr. Knick Knack was born. A guy named only Steve wouldn't quite do for one endearingly forward child on a fateful Saturday in September. Having introduced himself that morning as Steve, our leading man was pressed by this child for a "real name," our little one expecting something a tad pizazzier from his entertainment than a "Steve." Having just sung, "This old man \ He played one \ He played knick knack on my thumb," a second young child in attendance chirped, "Knick Knack!" just in that nick of time, and her mother said, "How about 'Mr. Knick Knack!" So it was, and so it is.

Mr. Knick Knack has been playing his heart-centered music for 8 years now, to the growing delight of several thousands of Knick Knack Kids. Steve is named "Favorite Children's Entertainer" by DC Baby - A Handbook for Parenting In (& Around) the Capitol City.* He has been twice featured in The Washington Post's Weekend section, in 2000 & 2005. Mr. Knick Knack is the regular featured children's entertainer at President John DeGioia's annual Holiday Party at Georgetown University in Washington, and is the regular weekly featured entertainer at Tysons Corner Center in McLean, Virginia, one of America's premier shopping malls. And, he's coming quickly to a little heart near you.