Like many recording artists, Chris Gardner has seen the music industry from a variety of angles, during it’s good times and bad. He’s an independent song writer, musician and singer, and he can tell you what it’s like to work through the night, get up early the next morning and prepare for yet another show with little or no money to work with. For some music is a hobby, but Gardner, like most independent artists, has gotten use to the uncertainty of a hobby that he loves, but now greater than any other time in his life, he’s witnessing his big break, and life couldn’t be better. When many would have thrown in the towel, trying to record that platinum-selling album, Gardner formulated a plan to attract the vocal power that he needed to reach outside of his box of comfort. This plan included recording with the likes of world renound vocalist Sarah Dash, famous for her contributions to records by Rock Legend Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, The Marshall Tucker Band and LaBelle.
Well after 20 years of performing original music around Texas and New York, Gardner, is hot on the trail of promotion, performance and appearances for release “Belong”, recorded with industry veteran Sarah Dash. It’s not often that you see a duo in the industry delivering two different styles that borderline Pop and Country, but as a connoisseur of Country licks that put a whipping on the mind, Gardner brings about a twist in the writing to make his fans want to listen. Dash, on the other hand, a vocalist trained to do what she does with her eyes closed, is from the old school, and has her own style layering every record she touches with R&B, Pop and Gospel blessings that would make any singer jealous. Together they deliver vocals that will be sure to win you over. “ I feel very blessed and gracious to have Sarah as a vocalist on my record, “ says Gardner. “ She just has one of those voices that I’ve always loved. We made this process very easy for her. We recorded the music and most of my vocals in Texas and then we flew to New York to record hers. We had one day together, where she came into the studio and did her part. Then we recorded some together and it was done. It was short and sweet and she did a excellent job.”
Gardner was born as an Air Force brat in Goldsboro, North Carolina, where he grew up in Buffalo, New York. After school, he received a baseball scholarship, which took him to Texas. While in training, he blew out his shoulder in the first season. Since he loved music and was looking for a new opportunity to help pay for school, he began entering Country Music contests for a radio station to promote his music. The contest paid off, when he was nominated for 3rd place in the state of Texas. Since then, he’s traveled between New York and Houston, working in clubs developing his style and sound. In the mid 1990’s he put music on hold for 12 to 13 years to work on family. During this time, he worked very hard to put all the pieces to his recording and music career back together. “This was a difficult period in my life, “states Gardner. “ I had just went through a divorce and got custody of my two children. When it came to recording, I would go record maybe 3 or 4 songs at a time until I had a full album of material so that when I was ready to get back out there again, I had all my work done. I did this for a while, along side being a father and coaching little league soccer, basketball, taking the kids to piano lessons and all that. But I’m really proud now because the kids (he has two) are doing well in school. One is a Junior on a Trumpet Scholarship at Stephen F. Austin University, and the other is a Freshman on an Academic Scholarship at The University of Houston”. He’s also worked with Patrick McGuire (Gabriel, Diamond Rio), Mark Matejka (Charlie Daniels, Lynryrd Skynyrd) and Mike Sack, (Goo Goo Dolls), where he recorded a demo CD for Chris with his former band, “Cultured Species. Gardner’s other job is that of owner and operator of Spectrum DHI, a locksmith company, where they install and trouble shoot-locking mechanisms for major corporations and construction sites. “I feel very fortunate that I have this other life, “ continues Gardner. “ The music and entertainment business is so hard right now and people are really starving. Then to have the music, I feel that I get my therapy (through music), have fun, and make a decent living at the same time.”
Gardner worked tirelessly in the studio with two time Grammy Winner Andy Bradley to pin his recent album release entitled “Nothing For Free”, which includes singles “Miracles”, “Wastin Time”, “ It’s Alright”, “ Human”, “Take Me Away’, “Bottle Bag”, “ Right Outside your Door”, “ Stinky Guy”, “Nothing For Free” and “Belong”, with Dash. “This was a fun project for me, “ states Dash. “ I love Chris’s song writing. He’s a very positive person. We did this song in New York, and he had it all together, and I love working with people when they are this professional. We sang together two times and I let the spirit lead me and we got the project done. I like it when those I work with come with a complete package. Like past projects that I was called in to do that were not R&B or Pop, this project gives me that fortunate opportunity where I get to broaden my horizons and reach markets that otherwise I would not have. I’m moved by who is watching me as a singer and performer. And it’s a good feeling. My talents are being heard and appreciated by so many people that it’s just incredible. It was a chance meeting that I met Keith Richards, but he instantly knew of me and wanted to work with me because of my voice. This was similar. Chris stated he was a fan of my work on LaBelle’s Lady Marmalade, and he knew then that he wanted some day to do a duet. So I feel very blessed and fortunate that people recognize me and want to work with me.”
Gardner has released five projects in the past, where some have received moderate play on college radio and others have gotten national attention. He further explains where he would like to take “Nothing For Free. “ I can already see where this is going to be the break through project for me, “ states Gardner in closing. “ We shot a video in the later part of last year and waited until this year to release the album. We’re getting a lot of people who like what they’re hearing and things are getting better and better everyday. I love the Internet and it’s an incredible tool. I feel that I’ve somewhat missed it, but it’s an awesome tool to promote your work. I do see this as a means for young people to hold on to their dreams that they can make it in this industry. For me, writing songs is about my life and the things I go through are like therapy for me”. Where Dash leaves final comments. “ When I was offered this opportunity, I began doing research on Chris, and he’s a great song writer. That’s the era I come from. I’m a product of great songwriters, singers and performers and I believe he’s that caliber of entertainer”.
For more information on Chris Gardner, visit http://www.chrisgardnermusic.com.
For more information on Sarah Dash, visit http://sarahdash.net/
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