Did Steve Burns Make More From His Music Career Than From Hosting Blue's Clues?

While Steve Burns may not have remained as prominently in the public eye as he did as the host of Blue's Clues, he continued to be active in the music and entertainment industry. In a 2006 Nickelodeon interview, he expressed his realization about his hosting career and what led him to leave the show in 2002.

After leaving Blue's Clues, Burns transitioned into a music career, even though it wasn't initially part of his plan. Speaking to HuffPost, he described his music career as "just a wonderful dream come true, a hobby thing that happened" after the show.

He has since released three albums, "Songs for Dustmites," "Deep Sea Recovery Efforts," and "Foreverywhere." Burns' contributions extended beyond music as well. In an interview with Business Insider, he mentioned his extensive work behind the camera and his involvement in voiceover work, including advertisements.

How Much Did Steve Burns Make On Blue's Clues And Its Revival Show?

Steve Burns is an American TV personality, actor, musician, writer, director, and producer, with a net worth of $5 million, as reported by Celebrity Net Worth. He gained fame as the host of the TV series Blue's Clues from 1996 to 2002. He also served as a producer and was credited as a writer, director, and consulting producer on the show's 2019 reboot, Blue's Clues & You, hosted by Joshua Dela Cruz.

Several publications have speculated that his annual salary from the show is around $1 million. Burns also demonstrated that he is an investment savvy. In 2007, he purchased a Brooklyn home for $770,000, which he later sold in 2020 for $3.35 million, according to Dwell.

After his initial stint as the host, Burns continued to make special appearances on Blue's Clues and played a role in the relaunch of the series. According to Entertainment Weekly, Burns took on a role alongside Cruz and Donovan Patton in the film Blue's Big City Adventure in 2022. The storyline follows Dela Cruz and the beloved canine on a journey to New York City after Dela Cruz secured an audition for a Broadway musical.

In 2023, Steve Burns returned to the revival series, Blue's Clues & You, where he has both written and directed an episode. In an interview with Daily Mail, Burns mentioned that he still keeps the original Red Thinking Chair in his Brooklyn apartment, though the whereabouts of his Handy Dandy Notebook remain undisclosed.

He spoke positively about his relationship with Nickelodeon and fondly recalled his years on the show, emphasizing that his departure was a natural progression after his seven-year tenure, not driven by any dramatic reasons.

Steve Burns Released His Debut Album After Leaving Blue's Clues

Steve Burns dedicated his free time after he left Blue’s Clues to crafting material for his debut album, "Songs for Dustmites." He diligently worked in a small studio at his Brooklyn residence.

Burns also clarified his career trajectory with Business Insider, "I think some people think I left to become a musician, that’s not what happened at all, I had always been a musician."

During the creative process, Burns sought out the expertise of Dave Fridmann, a long-time producer for the Flaming Lips, to collaborate on his inaugural musical endeavor. Impressed by Burns' vision, Fridmann invited Steven Drozd to join in the project.

One of the tracks from the album, "Mighty Little Man," later found its place as the theme song for the CBS television show Young Sheldon. In 2020, Burns made a cameo appearance in one of its episodes where takes on the role of Nathan, a dedicated Star Trek fan who forms a friendship with Sheldon, after they connected through an online bulletin board.

According to Pitchfork, "Songs for Dustmites" explores themes of love and loss, even though Steve Burns characterized it as a collection of songs about science and love. Burns told ET that when he created this album, he aimed to craft a positive, empowering musical experience, punctuated with exclamation points.

Despite the involvement of prominent collaborators like Drozd and Fridmann, Burns' lyrical prowess and knack for crafting endlessly enjoyable pop songs shine through. The album manages to stay true to Burns' persona as the amiable host of a children's show.

The critical reception of "Songs for Dustmites" pleasantly surprised music critics. Heather Phares of AllMusic hailed it as a promising debut, a good-natured collection of atmospheric pop that occasionally takes creative risks. On the other hand, Brian Houston of PopMatters acknowledged the album's success but noted that the credit often went to the contributions of the Flaming Lips rather than Burns' talent or vision.

Steve Burns Started His Band, Steve Burns And The Struggle, After The Success Of His Debut Album

After Steve Burns released his first album, he formed the band Steve Burns and the Struggle with Steven Drozd and Ryan Smith from the group A Million Billion. In 2009, they completed their second album, "Deep Sea Recovery Efforts."

In 2016, Burns collaborated with Drozd to release a children's album titled "Foreverywhere" under the moniker STEVENSTEVEN. This unique project comprised 11 songs that transcended traditional children's music. Their debut single, "The Unicorn and Princess Rainbow," features influences of David Bowie and Neil Diamond, complete with a captivating psychedelic guitar solo.

Burns explained to MTV that their approach when creating this album strived to challenge the clichés associated with children's music and emphasized that there isn't a significant difference between what makes music enjoyable for kids and adults. They deliberately infused the album with imaginative concepts like a unicorn and a rainbow princess, aiming to elevate these ideas and recognize the emotional complexity of children.

In a television appearance on TMZ in March 2017, Burns discussed the album and its track "OK Toilet Bowl," noting it addressed a common fear among children and was a song about courage.

While specific sources do not provide direct confirmation of Burns' earnings from his three music albums, his contribution to children's literature remains significant.

On July 26, 2019, Burns announced on his Instagram account the adaptation of "Foreverywhere" into an audiobook. The adaptation featured narration by Burns himself, along with Carly Ciarrocchi and Stephanie Mayers. It was exclusively released on Audible on August 1, 2019, and offered a unique listening experience for fans of the original kids' album.