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Ohio-born, multi-instrumentalist and lyricist Chris Bailey's first memories occur riding in the back of his mom's old Chevy Nova, listening to 8-tracks of Jim Croce singing "Operator" and "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown," while watching the blur of the small-town street lights in the windshield. Bailey grew up listening to his mother perform her songs. When she would finish, young Bailey would don his plastic fireman's helmet and take over on guitar to perform for an avid audience of stuffed animals. 

As Bailey entered the public school system, he began taping his favorite songs off the radio and making compilations for his friends. All were complete with hand-drawn art and personalized liner notes. Years later, in an age where his homemade mix tapes might be considered piracy, Bailey invests in writing and recording music of his own.  

Since beginning his recording and touring career in 1999, Bailey has released six albums, both solo and with his group, Moonlight Graham. "gone.Circus" (Moonlight Graham 2005) was a breakthrough, artistically and commercially, for Bailey and band-mate, Bill Littleford. Receiving glowing reviews, television placement and national radio play, "gone.Circus" found its way onto the 2006 Grammy Ballot in two categories: Category 16 - Best Rock Performance by a Duo/Group with Vocals and Category 20 - Best Rock Song.

After several years of recording and performing throughout the Midwest, Bailey headed to Los Angeles to further cultivate his craft. In late 2008, Bailey recorded his solo release, "Burden the Hand." The seven-song EP was recorded mainly in Bailey's Hollywood apartment and mastered by two-time Grammy Award-winning producer, Ted Greenberg.

Bailey's home-recording technique creates a natural-sounding album, reminiscent of Paul McCartney's early, post-Beatles records, as well as artists of the 60’s and 70’s, such as the Beatles, Cat Stevens, Van Morrison and John Lee Hooker. With a vast range of influences, Bailey's soulful style connects with listeners, while remaining far from typical.

The latest effort, "Burden the Hand," displays his use of many instruments including guitar, harmonica, percussion, keys and even whistling. Even though Bailey performed all the parts track by track, it sounds as if there were a room full of musicians laying down the folksy, blues vibe. Moving songs about moving on, "Burden the Hand" proves to be Bailey's most emotional and creative work to date.  

REVIEWS: What people are saying...

"Sparse production reveals intimate tunes that would work nicely on a big stage or your best friend's living room."
- Fran Snyder | concertsinyourhome.com


"Bailey is a singer-songwriter with a vast amount of direction to grow and the ability to wander into numerous genres. Like Chris Whitley or Mississippi Fred McDowell, to name just two, Bailey sounds real."
- Brian Tucker | Bootleg Magazine


"Bailey offers a memorable performance on Burden The Hand, proving that the singer/songwriter genre is alive and well. Highly introspective and reserved, Bailey offers up 7 vignettes in song that are entertaining and gratifying listens."
- Wildy's World


"It is a breath of fresh air talking with a musician like Bailey who does not do music for fame or fortune but because it is in his soul."
- Stoli | Skope Magazine