CHRIS WILLIAMS – LEAD VOCAL & RHYTHM GUITAR
Chris has also played music throughout his entire life. He started taking piano lessons when he was four years old, and was performing in recitals at the age of five. His parents met in England where they were both stationed in the US Air Force, and Chris spent his early years following his father’s career all over the country. His first teacher was so excellent that Chris never found her equal, and he stopped lessons (like so many) when has was about 11. Trombone became the next instrument of choice, and he eventually reached first chair in a Middle School band that played in a regional competition at the Grand Ole Opry.
Chris’ other lifetime love is soccer. He was coached by Tim Hankinson, and his players around this time, and was there exposed to the African culture. Chris’ family went to every game, and experienced a Pan-African and Caribbean party in the stands at every one of them. The drums and the exuberant singing and dancing that surrounded him had a profound effect on Chris. Indeed, in many ways those days have shaped the rest of his life. Soccer also ended Chris’ trombone career in that he was not allowed to be in the jazz band unless he was in the marching band. The choice between playing soccer and marching at football games was not a difficult one.
Now this is the eighties we’re talking about here, and although Chris saw every heavy metal and hair band that ever played an arena, he also was catching the likes of B. B. King and Dizzy Gillespie. Before he was even old enough to drive, his parents would take him to jazz clubs to hear his favorite band The Jungle. He befriended their bassist David Anderson at exactly the same time he got his first guitar (age 15.) He immersed himself in Stanley Jordan’s first album, and began strumming chords out of the Beatles compilation book that he’d grown up on. Chris had a thirst for music, and though he kept up with popular music, he was mostly immersed in the past. In Chris’ own words, “I was studying Miles Davis and Robert Johnson as the time, and totally absorbed in catching up on what I had just missed – the real rock and roll from 65 - 75. I raided every one’s record collection I came across, and always had a bunch of albums checked out from the library.”
Chris started college at CU Boulder where he found a wealth of new influences. Though he would browse the music library more than he studied, it was the locals and students who further expanded Chris’ musical vocabulary. He soon transferred to UAH (Alabama-Huntsville) and began playing Second Division NCAA Soccer. The idea of a career in radio was toyed with, and Chris also interned with Sound Cell Recording Studios for a few years. He also played his first open mics at this time, and sang his first harmonies with Kent Faller in a guitar duo. Philosophy and English became Chris’ major and when he graduated, he moved to Atlanta, and within weeks he was playing rhythm guitar in a reggae band.
The real story of Chris as a musician begins in Ireland though. In the summer of 1990 he had the opportunity to attend the Parnell School of Music in Dublin. Though he had sung along to the Beatles for his entire life, the Bel Canto method of singing as taught by Frank Merriman was a major revelation. “I was sitting in on these master classes, hearing what Frank was saying, and realizing that his own students didn’t really get it,” says Chris. “I couldn’t do it myself yet, but it totally made sense.” Frank’s first student was Christy Dignam of Aslan, and he and Chris soon began a friendship that lasts to this day. “Aslan is the biggest band in Ireland (other than U2) and Christy is the greatest singer known to me. He translated Frank’s operatic teaching’s into a rock language and taught me everything else I needed to know with his own melodic phrasing and songwriting style.” Chris has gotten to open up for Christy at the Olympia Theater in Dublin, and has indeed toured the entire country with Aslan on his many trips back and forth to Ireland since then.
So, like most of us here in the 21st century, Chris has had a vast exposure to all types of music : African rhythms, Caribbean vibes, Classical Piano, (“Jimi Hendrix is second only to Bach in my book”) Italian Opera, Southern Rock, (“I listened to Duane Allman almost exclusively for two years”) Classic Rock, (Floyd, Zeppelin) Soul, Funk (Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder) Roots Reggae, (Marley, Tosh, Jacob Miller) Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Chuck Berry, Prince, and the Police. These influences combine with Caleb, Lee, and Brian’s and form the unique sound that is Empty Slate. We hope that you will continue to be a part of what is to come, and that you grow with us as we make our markion the universe. As one fan in the Slate Nation put it “you guys have got something for everyone.” And we plan on being something for everyone for a long time to come.
Reincarnated in late 2006, Empty Slate has gathered an incredibly devoted following in an extremely short amount of time. By mixing our uncategorizable (can you describe it?) original music with covers of rock, reggae, funk, Latin, jazz, alternative, country and dance music, the Slate has something to offer for everyone. This has resulted in our devoted ‘Slate Nation’ fan base, and helped us to pack college town bars, keep every tourist amazed as to what they’ve found, and rock every festival stage hard enough to excite seasoned sound-men into a virtual frenzy. Chris Williams, Caleb Hensley, Brian Keith and Lee Kram are fast becoming a force to be reckoned with. Combining their four distinct voices and backgrounds with a totally unique sound and professionalism, ES is paving their own way to the top - one fan at a time. ______________________________________________________________________________________
The Stigma of Cover Tunes – As we constantly integrate the diverse backgrounds of our three principal songwriters into our signature Empty Slate sound, we abandon neither today’s current pulse nor our roots as musicians. In the jazz world, you are judged by your take on the standards, indeed in the blues and early rock traditions, lyrics, melodies and rhythms were directly lifted and reinterpreted. We do not apologize for merging these traditions with the spirit of the jam band scene, and we will continue to push the limits of music and create our own genre. Who among us doesn’t answer the often-asked question with, “Oh, I like lots of different kinds of music”? You are not one dimensional, and your favorite band shouldn’t be either. _______________________________________________________________________________________
We beliveve in our original sound, but it comes about as a result of all of these different elements coming together, and we will not abandon what is being created in order to fit in with the unwavering hipsters of the ‘original-only’ scene. That said, we can, will, and do play hours of exclusively our own creations depending upon the setting. However, we also respect our writing enough to put it up against the greatest songs we know. We respect our unique sound enough to fully illustrate every aspect of the boundless variety contained within it. And we respect our fans enough to have something for everyone, and a bit of everything for all of our diverse tastes. ______________________________________________________________________________________
An ES show will somehow seamlessly integrate our originals with, a song from the current country charts, our take on a Marvin Gaye classic, a funk-disco era tune, the summer’s biggest R&B dance hit, a new progressive/alternative rock anthem, or a version of the Wailers’ “Roots, Rock, Reggae” that Bob himself would be skanking to backstage. And even if you’re a music scholar, we guarantee that there will always be songs that keep you guessing as to whether or not they were written by us.
It’s an empty slate every time, my friends, a new beginning. We feed off of you, and every show has an energy all it’s own. Join the Slate Nation, feel the power that you help to create. Dance away your heartache, and become a part of the greater whole that happens at every show we play. We do it for you. We do it for us. And we do it for all conscious freedom lovers everywhere.
Thanks for the add! Team Cybergeist is a collaborative music project featuring members of Dope, Stone Sour, Morbid Angel, Kittie, Fuel, Genitorturers, Godhead, PIG, Dark New Day, Saliva, Crossbreed, Adema, The Undead, Rev Theory, Zeromancer, Pigface, KMFDM, and many more!!!
Click link above to listen to samples and order - $9.95 + s&h
Tampa Taiko is a professional drumming duo that has performed their unique style for a vast array of audiences, performing at festivals, concert halls, schools, workshops, summer camps, corporate and VIP events. Using a collection of taiko drums made by themselves from discarded wine barrels, Tampa Taiko has developed a dynamic fusion of old and new styles of drumming, bringing a contemporary vibrance to an ancient martial artform.
Empty Slate, Happy Tuesday to you! Wishing you a restful and relaxed week. If you need some inspirational musical help relaxing, there are 3 albums available now at iTunes! You Can download them at Itunes by clicking below:
Thanks a lot for the add. EletriKa is complitly different of every Metal band you already know. Please, when you have a minute, just check EletriKa out, ok?
We hope you can join us for this 1st annual 3 day festival in Loganville,Ga. We are musicians helping women and childrens' shelters in our North Ga. area. $1 raffles all weekend long, win great merch donated by local business'. May 1,2,3 at Atmosphere on Hwy 78. Only $10 per day. bring wristband back for discount at the door . Hope to see you there. Check out all the great bands playing.
Hi Empty Slate! We're playing @ The Boiler Room w/ Vertigo www.myspace.com/listentovertigo Saturday April 25th @ 10pm 11 Grove St Asheville, NC <>>> Click the Event link below for more details and to learn more about Vertigo! Click Here To View This Event <>>> Hope to see you there!
LOYAL EARTH MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL : APR 16 thru APR 20 - Old Rock House, Downtown St. Louis : Visit Loyalearth.com for tickets, full lineup, and more info!
VERTIGO JAZZ PROJECT –
CD RELEASE PARTY and
LIVE FILMING FOR FUTURE MOVIE
Friday, March 13, 2009
Emerald Lounge – doors open @ 9:00 pm
with special guests The Mantras and Selectah Cleofus
Video production on site by Gauche Productions
www. myspace. com/vertigojazzproject
Vertigo Jazz Project will be presenting the release of their first CD on Friday, March 13 at the Emerald Lounge. Doors open at 9:00 pm. Selectah Cleofus will be the DJ for the evening. He will be performing before and after Vertigo Jazz Project. The Mantras (www. themantras. net) will be performing immediately after Vertigo Jazz Project. The evening will be filmed by Gauche Productions. The DVD will be released later this year.
We are thrilled to announce Midnite will be playing their only two east-coast shows in the month of April at The Grey Eagle in Asheville, NC. Arguably the best live reggae band around, Midnite has sold out every show they've played in Asheville since 2005. We strongly encourage you to pick up your tickets in advance so you can be a part of the festivities.
Click the below poster for additional information about Midnite's back-to-back nights at The Grey Eagle.
You ROCK! Thanks for being a friend and for all your hard work. Hope to see you at the 2nd annual Utica Music and Arts Fest. Over 200 performers in over 15 venues for 3 DAYS! Including a kick-off party on the Adirondack Scenic Railroad, Utica Tattoo Fest, Utica Greens Fest, and the Greater Utica Arts and Entertainments Awards!
Visit our site for more info and performer submissions. Have a great day!
Bands::: Interested in performing at this years event?? Click the link! And while you’re there please take a moment to sign up for our mailers to stay informed.
Well, '09 is here babies, and man are we ready! Vertigo Jazz Project is shooting out the gate with a tremendous night of live music w/ fusion masters Gongzilla at Stella Blue on SATURDAY 1/24/09!!! We will be joined by a full horn section of Asheville allstars for this show featuring Derrick Johnson (trombone) of Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band, Ryan Knowles (sax) of The Afromotive, and Justin Ray (trumpet) of The Michael Buble' Band (yes ladies; that Michael Buble Band).
Plan on many suprises from this conglomerate of established and rising stars of Asheville and beyond. This will be a big one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GONGZILLA: Journalist Bill Milkowski called GZ "simply mind-boggling". Gongzilla first released a series of mostly instrumental albums featuring guest guitarists on each one, including jazz fusion legends Allan Holdsworth, David Torn and David Fiuczynski. More recently, Gongzilla has included some U.S. jamband heroes, like guitarist Chuck Garvey of moe., and has emphasized vocals, crafting songs which fuse with improvisational rock. Contradictions and balance; Rowe and Lozaga sing cool songs that will singe your soul while balancing both the hyper precision and the rockin' mayhem this band is capable of live. The new studio record "Five Even" includes the aforementioned Garvey as well as Jake Cinninger of Umphrey's McGee plus guitarist David "Fuze" Fiuczynski (Screaming Headless Torsos) with bassist Kai Eckhardt of Garaj Mahal sitting-in too!
Online Now!
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