“A Riverlorian is one who studies rivers and shares all aspects of navigation, nature, history, legends and lore with anyone who will listen. This could expand into river related topics that interest the Riverlorian and possibly even the audience.”

Born and raised on the backwaters of the Upper Mississippi, Steven Marking has an innate knowledge of the twists and turns of the river and its ever-changing character. A consummate videographer and photographer, Steve captures images that are both entertaining and breathtaking. From the great migration in fall to baby wood ducks leaping from their nest in spring, from the majestic bluffs to the backwaters in bloom, from the headwaters in Lake Itasca to the mouth at the Gulf of Mexico, Steve presents the entire length of this magnificent river in stunning high definition.

Steve is a guest speaker and resident entertainer for American Cruise Lines as they travel the Mississippi, Ohio, and Cumberland Rivers. He holds a master’s degree in vocal performance from the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, and a bachelor’s degree from Viterbo University in his hometown of La Crosse, Wis. He brings more than three decades of professional production and performance experience to his latest creation, A Visit from Will Dilg, and his ongoing masterpiece, Our Mighty Mississippi.

Steve is a member of / contributor to: The Mississippi River Network, The Izaak Walton League of America, The Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, The Brice Prairie Conservation Association, Friends of the Mississippi, Friends of Pool 7 and 8, Friends of Pool 9, and 1 Mississippi. His photos are often published in his favorite magazine, Big River and in Outdoor America. 

Steve has recorded five CDs: Holy Chestnuts (Victorian era sacred anthems), Grandma’s Favorite Gospel Hymns, Toscanini and Friends (Italian Art Songs), My Mighty Mississippi (Soundtrack from Our Mighty Mississippi show in 2015) and Lord, Here Am I (contemporary Christian Favorites). He has filmed, photographed, edited, and added his own music to his popular DVD Our Mighty Mississippi, and produced Riverscapes, a DVD with no human voices.

For more information on Steven Marking, visit his website.