Twice As Good (2XG) is the musical duo of father and son, Richard James Steward (born 1951) and Paul Anthony Steward (born 1984), proud Pomo Indians from the Elem Indian Colony in Clearlake Oaks, California. The group’s name, "Twice As Good," is not a boast but a mission—representing dedication, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence. It was born from a challenge: “You’ve got to be twice as good to make it.” Their response? “All right then. We will be—Twice As Good.”
Music ran deep in their bloodline. Richard was raised around music, learning guitar and Country singing from his mother, Pricilla, who had herself been taught by her cousin, the revered Pomo country singer Hank Gonzalez of Big Valley Mission Rancheria. Though exposed to many genres on the radio growing up, Richard was most drawn to Blues and Soul—an appreciation he later shared with his youngest son, Paul.
After leaving the reservation—yet remaining closely connected to their tribal community—Richard and Paul, along with extended family, resettled in Santa Rosa, California, facing severe economic hardship. Through it all, music was their salvation. When Paul was 14, Richard taught him to play guitar, encouraging him to become a lead guitarist. Paul, inspired by B.B. King, immersed himself in electric blues and honed his vocal style. A pivotal moment came during his teenage years when Paul met Uncle Hank Gonzalez, who mentored him in performance and stagecraft.
In May 2003, Paul and Richard debuted as Twice As Good (2XG) in Santa Rosa, California. Their earliest gigs included house parties and bar sets, often collaborating with fellow Native musicians from groups like Red Man Blues of the Colusa Reservation. Their big break came with steady performances at River Rock Casino, which opened the door to music festivals and broader recognition. A highlight was a 2005 performance with Uncle Hank—an unforgettable family reunion on stage.
Their reputation began to soar. They were invited to perform at the Blue Wing Blues Festival in 2007 and were featured in News From Native California. Legendary harmonica player Charlie Musselwhite, after seeing them live, urged them to head to Clarksdale, Mississippi. In April 2008, 2XG played the Juke Joint Blues Festival at the famed Crossroads, then made their way north to Chicago for a high-profile appearance at the 2009 Chicago Blues Festival After-Party, joined by bassist Johnny B. Gayden.
In 2010, Twice As Good became the first Native Americans to be honored with “Best New Blues Band” by the West Coast Blues Hall of Fame. That same year, they won the Last Band Standing competition at Pala Casino, outshining nine top Southern California bands. Later, their album If That's All Right With You earned them the “Best Blues Recording" award at the 2010 Native American Music Awards, and they closed the award ceremony in Niagara Falls, NY, jamming with actor and musician Wes Studi.
From local shows to national festivals, 2XG proudly blended West Coast Blues with a touch of Native soul. In 2013, they took the stage at the Indian Summer Music Festival in Milwaukee during a thunderstorm—then took home an award that same night. In 2014, they were invited to perform for the National Museum of the American Indian in both New York City and Washington, DC, cementing their legacy as one of the most accomplished Native American musical acts of their generation.
Starting in late 2013, Twice As Good held a weekly residency at Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park, California—a streak that continued for over 11 years until early 2025. While based on the West Coast, they frequently toured the country. In 2016, they were voted “Best R&B Band” in the San Francisco North Bay by The Bohemian newspaper readers.
Their legacy became multigenerational when Paul’s son, William (born 2015), joined the band on drums at age 7 for select performances—carrying the family tradition into a new era.
After a quiet recording period between 2014 and 2020, 2XG roared back with the album Double Down in December 2020, followed by The Second Coming in 2023. That October, they returned to the South for a performance at the historic King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, Arkansas—Richard’s final major tour appearance.
Paul, meanwhile, embarked on his solo journey with the release of his 2022 debut album World Champion, preparing for a future where he would lead the charge alone. As Richard began to step back and eventually retire, Paul took 2XG’s sound across the globe on tour.
Richard James Steward passed away in April 2025, leaving behind not just music, but a living legacy. Though he is no longer with us, and though someday Paul too will pass, the music of Twice As Good lives on—in every note, in every listener, and in every memory made.
As long as you keep listening, their music will never die.