Steve Moakler, born in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, is an American country musician and songwriter. Inspired by his father's record collection, Moakler began playing guitar and writing songs at age 14. He moved to Nashville after graduating from high school in 2006, attending Belmont University while performing on weekends. In Nashville, he co-wrote "Riser" for Dierks Bentley, which became a significant breakthrough. Steve Moakler released his first album All the Faint Lights independently in 2009 and formed Free the Birds label in 2011. He collaborated with Luke Laird on a self-titled EP in 2016, which led to his album Steel Town (2017), featuring the hit single "Suitcase". Moakler's fifth album, Born Ready, was released in 2018. He has toured extensively and made his Grand Ole Opry debut on March 19, 2016.