A Note from Chris

Hey Friends!

I'm inviting you to join me as I record my new studio album!     

Early in 2020, I had just started working on my new record. Then COVID hit and turned all our lives upside down. My entire 2020 tour schedule disappeared instantly, and the revenue I was relying on to finance the record evaporated almost overnight.

While I’m very grateful for the extra time I’ve been able to spend with my family, and keeping them safe has been my top priority, I'm not giving up on this project.  

While I've been able to complete some of the record, and have been funding it myself so far, I’m seeking your help in completing it.

I am kindly asking you to please pre-purchase it now so my team and I can afford to finish it.  

I know times are tough for everyone, and we are not seeking donations, but pre-purchasing it now will make all the difference - we need the funds to keep going!  

If you are interested, there are additional perks available, such as my personal songwriting journals, studio visits, guitar lessons, a house concert, etc.  Take a look to see if something suits your budget!

If you've enjoyed my past albums, and are excited to hear the latest, please pick an incentive that fits your budget and join our team!

The Team

The new record is being co-produced by myself and Juno-Award winning producer Derek Downham (Paul Reddick, Broken Social Scene), engineered by Grammy Award-winner Jeremy Darby (David Bowie, Lou Reed, Alicia Keys, Van Morrison, Sara Bareilles), and features some of my favourite musicians, including:

• Alan Zemaitis (keys)
• Riley O'Connor and Derek Downham (drums)
• Our dear friend, the late-great Guenther Kapelle (bass)
• Juno and Maple Blues Award-winning keyboardist Jesse O'Brien (Colin James, Harrison Kennedy)
• Two-time Grammy Award-winner Mike Mattison (Tedeschi-Trucks Band, Derek Trucks Band) - guest vocals on a tune.
• Juno Award-nominee Alison Young and Juno Award-winner Richard Underhill co-arranging horns.
• Other guest stars to be announced.
• For those outside of Canada, a Juno Award is the Canadian equivalent of a Grammy award.

The New Songs

In 2018, my last album “Monarch” was nominated for Record of the Year at Canada’s Maple Blues Awards (and myself for Producer of the Year).  I am very grateful for this recognition as that record was a very personal work dealing with loss, divorce, forgiveness, and the art of letting go.

This new record chronicles my life as a single parent of two children, building an enriching home life for them, and strengthening the community around us.

When I began to write this record, I read something by Carl Jung, who said "in the second half of our lives, humans reconnect with the human race. They become part of the collective once again.” These words really resonated with me and became the starting point of this new record - songs of community, self-compassion, hope, and belonging.

While I started writing these songs prior to COVID, they have since taken on even more importance, especially now when we’re all so far apart from each other.

The themes on this record, include:

• The power of community.  
• The power of home - building a new home with my children in the aftermath of a divorce.
• Seeking out positive role models for my children – striving to be a good example for them, but also lamenting the absence of strong role models amongst certain political leaders.
• My sobriety - at the end of 2018, I gave up alcohol for good, after finally acknowledging it was a problem in my life. I’ve been sober now for over two years, and I’m very proud of this.

The Sound

Over the course of the last three albums, three Maple Blues award-nominations, international radio play, several international tours, and even playing on stage with Buddy Guy three times, I have been exploring various aspects of blues, roots and blues-rock traditions. 

Now I'm making a more modern, progressive blues-rock album with heightened mainstream potential, not beholden to the "rules" of blues, but respectful of tradition, weaving classic with contemporary - adventurous, but not polarizing; stretching every idea across the aural spectrum.

Of course, traditional blues lovers will dig the handful of traditional blues numbers; I know my roots and will never abandon them.

What We Need and What You Get

We're asking you to pre-purchase the record now because we want to make it in the best possible way (with the talent mentioned above ), and we want to do it right!!

Here's a breakdown of what we need.  

• Remaining studio time - $3,000  
• Guest Musicians - $2,000
• Mixing - $3,000
• Mastering - $1,000
• Manufacturing - $3,000

Risks & Challenges

There are always risks in the music business, especially when making independent records.  However, I have an excellent track record for managing and delivering projects of this magnitude, and I am well-prepared to deal with any hurdles as they arise.

Since 2010, I have successfully financed and produced three large-scale and critically acclaimed recordings (featuring Juno- and Grammy-award winning musicians).

The planning for this campaign alone has been months in the making. PLUS, I have a GREAT team working with me to make sure that everything runs smoothly.

The plan is to release the record in late 2021. However, we may hit some logistical roadblocks and delays due to COVID but we will get it to you.

Other Ways You Can Help