Usually solo, but Jimmy Lykens (Bass) and Mark Haas (Drums) musicate with me on occassion.
Influences
I have many different influences. People say that I am like a "human jukebox". A few include:
John Mayer
Musiq Soulchild
Jason Mraz
Brian McKnight
Jack Johnson
Stevie Wonder
Carter Beauford
Tito Puente
QBert and Mixmaster Mike
Luther Vandross
Boyz II Men
Timbaland
But some of the biggest influences are people who are simple teachers from school/jam sessions:
All my sisters, my brother, Keith, Don Hammond, Candee Minchin, Jon Perry, James Mitchell, Vernon Jackson, Travis McDermott, Andrew Jackson, Greg Watson, Rocky Savilla, Traci Stanley, John Harrison, Mark Haas, Jimmy Lykens, Eric Pyles, John Espy. . . thanks to all of you.
My first EP is available on
My first professional album, "Waiting", and EP, "Guarding Joey", will be downloadable on iTunes around the first week of April. The physical CDs will be released March 19th, 2009. Be on the lookout!
At the age of 5, Chris started to play piano, making his own renditions of songs he had heard his family members play and started to pick up music theory from observation.
When he turned 10, percussion became his passion and he began to play a role more and more in high school drumlines until he was 20 years old.
At the age of 13, Chris learned the art of turntablism from his brother. People also refer to Chris as DJ Cendana in the Huntington area, known for his unique scratching style and blend.
Finally, at 20, he began to play guitar in his spare time, learning chords with his friends, but was greatly influenced by Play's lead guitarist, Rocky Savilla.
Chris now resides in Morgantown, WV. He has played in many different venues -- Black Bear (Morgantown, WV), The Blue Moose Cafe (Morgantown, WV), Bocktown (Pittsburgh, PA), Blue Violet (Beaver, PA), 123 Pleasant Street (Morgantown, WV), Big Sandy Arena (Huntington, WV), Borders (Huntington, WV), Java Joint (Huntington, WV), Empire Books (Huntington, WV), Icon (Huntington, WV), Red Iguana (Huntington, WV), Holderby's Landing (Huntington, WV), Lola's (Charleston, WV), Sound Factory (Charleston, WV), The Daily Grind (Buckhannon, WV), and more.
Feel free to add as a friend, comment/rate, and of course, check him out on YouTube.
Hey man your music is amazing... ever since i heard "when the lights burn out" on you tube i've been listening to your stuff man. Me and my band are planning to cover that song lol but yea.. good stuff
Hello there Chris I Love it how you show alot of heart when you sing any song....And you also have a beautiful voice...Kudos to you my friend..."HAPPY 4th of July" :#}
Listening to you sing The Man In The Mirror, made me want to cry! It's really sad what happened to him. Your voice is amazing Chris.... I could listen to your music all day!! I'm so proud of you!!! :) You're Awesome!!
Hey, Chris! I've just heard your Redemption Song cover this morning and I thought it was great. I'm not even a big fan of Bob Marley, but I'm gonna go look up that song right now just because I loved your version of it. It was awesome, keep it up. :-)
hey chris! just watched your new video. Awesome as always! i love all your videos. i bought both your cds and i think i still like the videos better. same songs but there is more feelings and emotion in the videos. anyways keep up the good work .
