Mindy Stephens and husband Ken, known as Livingroom Legends, rehearse and record in the living room of their Columbia County home. ANDREW DAVIS TUCKER/STAFF

Instead, the space where they might have entertained dinner guests with salad, steak and small talk holds amplifiers, microphones and an assortment of guitars. Outside of that sectioned-off portion of the Stephens' home, the couple's concerns revolve around jobs - his as an independent delivery driver, hers as a machinist - the raising of their 3-year-old daughter, Jessica, and the responsibilities of family life. But inside the small area between kitchen and couch, the focus is on the music they make as Livingroom Legends.

The couple began their musical experiment about a year ago. Mr. Stephens had spent many years playing in bands and had grown tired of the politics and personal problems that arise when four or five artists with varied artistic agendas come together. So instead of throwing himself into the rock-band fray once again, he asked his wife if she would be interested in making some music.

"It was just amazing," he said. "There was nobody to fight with. I just asked Mindy if she thought she could learn to play bass, and she said she would give it a shot. When we got married, we never thought we would end up doing something like this."

Filled with chiming guitars, loping rhythms and bright vocal harmonies, the songs on the Legends debut disc Honeymoon recall Woody Guthrie, Nashville Skyline-era Bob Dylan and the Byrds. The band takes its low-key musical cues from the steady diet of classic rock and country that served as the soundtrack to Mr. Stephens' childhood.

"The first thing I remember hearing as a kid was my parents' country records," Mr. Stephens said. "I grew up with those songs in my head. The first music I remember really loving though, was Elvis, back in the days of disco."

The couple says their husband-and-wife relationship has helped foster their unique musical chemistry. Mrs. Stephens said one of the interesting byproducts of the collaboration has been sparks of interest from other couples.

"It seems to have some appeal to other people," she said. "They are amazed that we can do this together and still get along. In fact I've had a lot of people, wives mostly, ask me what I think about them playing the bass. So we could see some more of this."

Preferring to keep their creative life loose, the Stephenses have few rules and regulations governing their Legends time. The one agreement they have made is that the band will always come second.

Livingroom Legends

Honeymoon "Whitney LaRue"

FORMATS

•  MP3  •  Real Audio  •  Windows Media

"We said that if this, in any way, ever interfered with our marriage, we would quit," Mr. Stephens said. "If this infringes on our family, we don't want it. Other than that, there are no ground rules. We get along too good for that."

As the band has gathered local steam, appearing in clubs and generating strong word-of-mouth praise for Honeymoon, the Stephenses have found themselves wooed by drummers wanting to make their duo a trio. Mrs. Stephens said that for now, she's hesitant to alter what seems to be an effective formula.

"We appreciate everybody offering, and one day we may pick one," she said. "But for now, we're fine. We like it this way."

Mr. Stephens said keeping Legends a family affair might make the music a bit more compelling. He said the idea of a band that effectively balances family and fun, that can play in a smoke-filled bar or pick up guitars and lull their little girl to sleep, is something he is proud of.

"The songs we write are pretty positive," he said, stroking his daughter's head. "But that might be the greatest message of all."

BUY THE MUSIC

Honeymoon is available through the Livingroom Legends Web site, www.livingroomlegends.com.

Reach Steven Uhles at (706) 823-3626 or steven.uhles@augustachronicle.com.