This year’s St. Thomas Auction and Gala celebrated Steve Tyrell, a Grammy- and Emmy-winning artist whose music has spanned genres and generations. Known for his smooth crooning on the Father of the Bride film soundtracks, Tyrell has become a beloved figure in American music. Long before he charmed audiences worldwide, he was a proud resident of Houston and a St. Thomas Eagle.

Tyrell graduated from St. Thomas in 1963, though his musical career had already begun before he received his diploma. While still a student, he recorded and released his first single, Payday Someday, in 1962. The song, infused with funk and jazz influences, set the tone for the iconic sound he would carry with him throughout his career.

Music may have been his calling, but Tyrell’s years at St. Thomas were marked by much more than the stage. St. Thomas athletics gave him some of his earliest memories of success and teamwork. He won a state baseball championship as a sophomore and, in another shining moment, was carried off the basketball court on his classmates’ shoulders after a big win. His Eagle brothers remember him not only as a talented performer, but also as a spirited teammate, a loyal friend, and a good-humored prankster. His playful side once showed up at a St. Thomas football game, where he orchestrated an elaborate joke involving a friend’s car hubcaps that became an oft-repeated story among his peers.

After graduation, Tyrell left Houston for New York City, determined to make it in the music industry. He quickly found work as an arranger and producer for Florence Greenberg, founder of Scepter Records. His time there introduced him to legendary figures like Burt Bacharach and B.J. Thomas, who would influence him for the rest of his career. Later, in California, he continued to record, produce, and collaborate, building an impressive catalog that included work with artists such as Mary J. Blige, Dolly Parton, and Elvis Presley.

Though his career carried him far, Tyrell has always maintained a strong connection to his hometown of Houston. His ties are anchored not only in his extended family, many of whom still live in the city, but also in the places and traditions that shaped his youth. These days, when he returns to Texas, his first stops are often local restaurants that hold familial significance: Carrabba’s, Ragin’ Cajun, Mia’s, Pizzitola’s BBQ, and the iconic Ninfa’s on Navigation, where he enjoys Taco al Carbon, something he craves, but has not yet found a replacement for, in Los Angeles.

Tyrell’s family is central to his life. He is close to his three children, Tina, Lauryn, and Nick, and to his five grandchildren, who affectionately call him “Pops.” Whether FaceTiming from across the country or cheering at his grandson’s baseball games in Los Angeles, Tyrell treasures those moments of connection. His constant companion at home is his Golden Retriever, Yogi, named in honor of his lifelong idol and dear friend, Yogi Berra.

Today, Tyrell remains a proud member of the St. Thomas Class of 1963. His fondest memories include not only the guidance of Basilian educators but also the friendships he formed with his classmates.

As St. Thomas honors him at this year’s Gala, we celebrate the legacy of an impressive career musician who is, and always will be, a faithful, funny, and true Man of St. Thomas.