Though he's been a baker, journalist, teacher, and a few other jobs, Pick has been surrounded by music all his thirty years. But his fascination contains an anachronism - almost all of Pick's influences are pop stars from the 50s, 60s and 70s.
As a baby, his parents would rock him to sleep (in more ways than one) while they sang Elvis Presley songs. When he was four, he learned keyboard and, a year later, took up guitar (Mom wanted him to play like Elvis). He ended up with a Sesame Street record player and some old 45s...including "Pleasant Valley Sunday" and "I'm A Believer" by The Monkees.
One day his Dad was watching television reruns of "The Monkees," and a young Chris Pick walked in to hear "I'm A Believer" coming out of the set. Pick made the connection...becoming a diehard fan of The Monkees. Like REM singer Michael Stipe (and others), Pick cites The Monkees as a catalyst for his love of pop music. His mother bought him every Monkee album, and he favored the Davy Jones songs (years later, he'd meet them). "I grew up with The Monkees," jokes Pick, "...with the reruns!" Having worked for Davy Jones at concert venues, Pick provided Davy Jones with rare recordings (as well as liner note info) to be featured on upcoming Davy Jones releases.
Mom also filled Pick's ears with the upbeat sounds of The Beach Boys, Rick Nelson, and Herman's Hermits - Pick's first music purchase was a vinyl LP of "There's A Kind Of Hush" (as a kid his favorite song was "I'm Henry The VIII").
Pick eventually realized The Monkees were cast in the shadow of another band - The Beatles - who were added to his list of favorites. Pick's' 2000 EP release "THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC" (produced by Johnny J. Blair) pays tribute to the late John Lennon. Released for John Lennon's 20th Memorial (December 8, 2000), the title track reached 1 on the KAOS FM charts in Australia.
At the age of eight, Pick decided he wanted to be like Paul McCartney, so he took up double bass in school. He was a member of The Williamsport Area High School Millionaire Strolling Strings under the direction of Walter J. Straiton (a nominee for the 1st Annual American Teacher Awards). Pick's pursuit of scholarly pedigree then took him through Mansfield University and Lycoming College. He was a member of the Lycoming College Choir and has been in church bell choirs, church worship groups, jazz bands and numerous orchestras and symphonies. While at Mansfield, he was a member of Music Educator's National Conference, Pennsylvania Music Educator's Association, and American String Teacher's Association (having served as president).
Pick accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in 2000 and received a divine call to global missions. In 2001, Pick left Pennsylvania and moved to Spartanburg, SC where he underwent "missions" training and was mentored by a pastor in ministry. In 2002, Pick went to Reque, Peru where he served at a Christian school connected to the Latin American Children's Fund.
Pick's mission work had also led him into the direction of mission video projects. Pick played bass on a song for a New Tribes mission video. He later released his own mission video/DVD with help from Lynne Whelden (Award-winning Camera-man and America's 1 hiking video producer www.lwgear.com), entitled SATAN REVEALED.
Besides ministry, Pick taught strings, piano/keyboard, music theory, and music composition at Saint John's School of the Arts in Williamsport, PA before moving to Spartanburg, SC. He had also instructed a seminar, "HOW TO BE A SONGWRITER!!! - Songwriting 101." After moving to Spartanburg, Pick became the primary violin instructor at HAMES MUSIC - considered one of the Southeast's "finest" music stores. He was also involved with the Spartanburg Home School Band.
Pick moved back to Pennsylvania in 2004 to continue mission work. From 2004 to 2006, Pick taught 5th and 6th Grade as well as Music Appreciation at the Christian School at Cogan Station in Cogan Station, PA. During this time, Pick started a very successful after-school music program offering private music instruction to all ages at an affordable cost. In doing so, he helped build a youth band for the church. Pick also lead worship with the senior pastor of the Christian Church of Cogan Station for a brief period in 2005.
Chris writes: "I love working with people, bringing them to the joy of music and helping them show their God-given talent. It's been a life-long dream to share my music with the world and make a difference, whether it's teaching or performing."
Chris is happily married to Michelle Watkins (a teacher in the Muncy school district and a partner in ministry). He continues to teach privately and perform regularily. Picked has performed at Beatlefests, mission agencies (On Valentine's Day 2002, Pick was invited to perform for Operation Mobilsation in Atlanta), a September 11th/Firefighter tribute concert in Spartanburg, SC sponsored by Sprint and The Red Cross, Christian festivals (Celebration, Visionfest, etc.)
In late 2006, Pick hooked up with producer Jerry H. Lynn to begin work on new recordings.
Lynn and Pick's first project, a 5-song EP "SONGS IN BLACK & WHITE," was released in March 2008. In 2009, Pick contributed to a compilation CD entitled "Unified By Grace" by Quickstar Productions to benefit a mission clinic in Uganda. Pick is currently working finishing up a new CD project with Lynn and recently contributed a song to another Quickstar Productions CD project to benefit work in Africa. A rough mix of a new recording "Masterpiece" is featured on this page.
Thanx a lot. Penguins really appreciate. We hope you will check out our new album too. There are links to cdbaby, iTunes, Amazon, Not Lame and Kool Kat on our myspace profile right under the blog/ bio section. Click on one of them, and it'll bring you some fresh "Norwegian Merseybeat".
PA COMPILATION ALBUM COMPLETE. PA ARTISTS JOIN NASHVILLE ALL-STARS to MAKE THE MUSIC MATTER!!!!!! Joining Tayler Swift, Linda Davis, The Statlers, The Kentucky Headhunters, Bryan white and more are PA. ARTIST"S Gypsy Dave and the Stumpjumpers, The Fabulous Gunslingers, Wind Ryder, Alan Chewning, Steeltown, Rob Vance, Ruff Creek, Jake Lewis, Kortney Jean, Curtis Beckman, Cathy Stewart, The Zuke Band, Melissa Morris. PLEASE SUPPORT THESE GREAT ARTIST''S - They use their gift to make a differance. GET A COPY OF THIS ALBUM FROM THEM NOW. THANK YOU PA !!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey! Keep up the good work with your passion for music!
Supporting local musicians and original music. Share the love ~ check out another one of my favorites and their new single "JUST YOUR FRIEND" at http://www. myspace. com/hotwingjones
Can't wait to hear your new album. Thanks for the request to be friends for you should know I would accept a friend request from you. I will update you on information later. Thanks and God Bless.
RadioIndy Review: “Songs in Black & White” by Chris Pick is an inspiring contemporary/pop album, demonstrating a gentle simplicity that awakens the heart. Songs like “Yes Virginia” give deep insight into the amount of heart and passion that went into each of these songs. This uplifting track brings hope in light of tragedy using an emotion-laden piano progression, well-written poetic lyrics, and a tear-inducing vocal performance. In general, Chris’s compositions reflect a soft, gentle quality and are mostly piano-driven. His melodies and vocal tone find their way straight to the soul. Moreover, “Our First Dance” delivers a memorable tribute to the beauty of love, and is complimented by the gracious sounds of the violin. With production that allows Chris' voice and passion to take the center stage, this CD will be worthwhile for any fan of positive adult contemporary/pop music. by- The RadioIndy. com Review Team http://www. radioindy. com/bands/4478/
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