As the 1990s began, so did Stevedore Steve's interest in performing again. Perhaps it was because of his performance on At Home Tonight, Gordon Stobbe's weekly TV show shown regionally on ATV.  Maybe it was the feel of taking to the stage again, being applauded for again, performing again, feeling whole again. Whatever it was, Steve Foote was using the Stevedore Steve moniker again.

Connors had dropped in around this time, back on the touring circuit again. He traded Steve some money to buy a Martin Guitar for the rights to a few of his songs. Indeed, every time I made my annual jaunt down to New Brunswick to be with Gini and Steve, I was amazed at how much he had improved on the guitar. The spider-webs were definitely off his fingers and although he always winced whenever he made a mistake, his errors were my desires. He was such a good picker!

Kevin and I visited again in 1990, this time with our good friend Paul Lyon tagging along. By now the Toronto contingent was becoming much more than a fan club of sorts, we were fast becoming good friends. I no longer looked at Steve Foote as The Stevedore of old; now he was Steve Foote, friend. When I think of the Stevedore I think of both Steve and Gini, the team, in musician mode.

(Paul Lyon, myself, Gini, Steve and Kev, 1990)

It was on this visit that they informed us that Steve had been nominated to join the ranks of country music greats of New Brunswick. He was to be inaugurated into the New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame on the 30th of June, 1990. 
This was indeed a great honour. Stephen J. Foote would be joining the likes of Don Messer, Ned Landry, George Hector, Duke Nielson, Marg Osborne, Ivan Hicks, Freddy McKenna, Charlie Chamberlain, Earl Mitton, Mavis O'Donnell, Curtis Hicks, Wilf Carter, Gerry Taylor and others. He was to be inducted along with Pat O'Hara, fiddler Jim Morrison, Curtis Rogers, Al Hooper and Eddy Poirier. There would be a gala event at the Lord Beaverbrook Hotel with the Premier of the Province in attendance. Not only did Steve receive this humbling award, this cherished place in New Brunswick honour, but he would also receive a citation from the Premier, The Honourable Frank McKenna as well.

This had to be the best day that Steve Foote enjoyed as Stevedore Steve in many, many years. For this reason alone, it was worth his while coming back, older, wiser and well loved.

I made yearly pilgrimages to the Maritimes for a number of years, visiting with my family or my friends, and always stopping off in Saint John, parking the car around the corner from Garden Street. From that first encounter with the chicken sandwiches, we graduated to dining at a fine, local Italian restaurant. I would always check and ask Steve if there was anything he needed from Toronto: "Just some guitar strings - they're so damned expensive here."
 
In 1993 Steve was asked to perform on Stompin' Tom's New Brunswick leg of his cross country tour. There would be four dates and Steve would be required to sing three songs in the opening set. To this he agreed. The exposure of performing on such a tour goes without saying. But something happened! I have spoken to Connors and I have spoken to Foote and it isn't for me to decide who's story to believe. After just two shows Steve either quit the tour or was fired, depending on who tells it. The two hobos who lived the life of the road together, who shared so many tears and laughs, even a last chocolate bar together, who had known each other since they were fifteen, just didn't seem to get along anymore.

Connors was perplexed! No matter how he tried to help Steve out, he could do no good. He trapped me in the mens' room of the Matador Club in Toronto one night and shook his head as he tried to figure out what was wrong. "I gave him money to buy a good guitar; I invited him to perform on my tour; I don't know what's with the guy. Everytime I try to help him out..."

Steve's answer: "Tom Connors is always welcome in my house as long as he leaves Stompin' Tom at the front door."

There is an obvious animosity that dates back a couple of decades that has shaded the views of these guys. Who is right and who is wrong: both. However it is nobody's business to know the details; it is their domain, their relationship. It is just too bad that they couldn't see eye to eye. All I know is that they still both love each other.

As far as Stevedore Steve was concerned, if he was going to make it back onto the scene, it would be without the help of Stompin' Tom Connors.