Piedmont Talent's Steve Hecht Dies

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Steven David Hecht, veteran booking agent and founder and owner of Piedmont Talent passed away on May 28th. He was 51 at the time of his death.

A native of Staten Island, Hecht got his start in the industry as a radio DJ at his alma mater SUNY Binghamton, where he programmed a night time blues show and promoted blues and folk music shows at the school. After graduation, Hecht signed on for a stint as a booking agent at Concerted Efforts in Boston.

Blues proved to be an integral part of Hecht's life and he went on to found Piedmont Talent, one of the most successful blues music focused booking agencies. Over the course of his career, Hecht's dedication to the blues earned him two separate Keeping the Blues Alive Awards and he served on the Board of Directors for the Blues Foundation and served a respected judge during several International Blues Competitions in Memphis, TN.

Hecht also continued his work in radio, later in life he DJ’d for WSGE in Gastonia, NC; finally live radio show for the Saturday Night House Party for WNCW where he had listeners from around the world.

Steve was also known around as one of the most prolific Frank Zappa collectors in the world.

Steve is survived by his wife Laurel Hecht, daughter Hannah Hecht, Sister Cheryl Hecht and mother Helen Hecht. He is preceded in death by his sister Barbara and his father Murray.

A graveside service will be held at 3pm Thursday May 30, 2013 at Forest Lawn East in Matthews, NC and his wife and daughter will be sitting Shiva immediately after the service until 9pm and from 1pm – 4pm for three days after the service.

Memorials can be made in the form of donation to Stand Up To Cancer, Gaston Hospice or Handy Artists Trust Fund via The Blues Foundation.

Larry LeBlanc did an in-depth interview with Steve last year.

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