Christopher and his Music
Favorite Musical Performers by Solo Artist or Group
1. The Beatles (including their solo works)
2. Fleetwood Mac (including their solo works)
3. The Rolling Stones
4. Abba
5. U2
6. The Hollies
7. The Monkees
8. Sheryl Crow
9. Creedance Clearwater Revival
10. John Cougar Mellencamp
Favorite Songs
1. Go Your own Way (Fleetwood Mac)
2. You're So Vain (Carly Simon)
3. Twist & Shout (Beatles)
4. Jumpin' Jack Flash (Rolling Stones)
5. Day After Day (Badfinger)
6. Help! (Beatles)
7. Oh What a Night (Four Seasons)
8. Start Me Up (Rolling Stones)
9. That Thing You Do (Wonders)
10. Bus Stop (Hollies)
Favorite Albums
1. The Chain, 25 Years of Fleetwood Mac
2. Help! (Beatles)
3. A Hard Days Night (Beatles)
4. Scarecrow (John Cougar Mellencamp)
5. Bryan Adams Unplugged
6. Synchronicity (Police)
7. Time Space (Steve Nicks)
8. Chronicle (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
9. Return of the Valley of the Go Go's
10. Abba Gold Greatest Hits
Album of the Moment: Fleetwood Mac: Say You Will
Song of the Moment: Sheryl Crow: Soak up the Sun
Alltimefavorite musicians by instrument
Guitar: Lindsey Buckingham
Piano: Billy Joel
Bass: Paul McCartney
Male Vocalist: Bono (Paul Hewson)
Female Vocalist: Stevie Nicks/Sheryl Crow
Drums: Mick Fleetwood
Instruments I Have Played
Trombone: When I was in the third grade, I took up the trombone because it was the biggest instrument and I was the littlest kid. I did okay iuntil the Fifth grade, when they caught me memorizing the tunes by ear and not being able to sight read. Then they kicked me out.
Guitar: Okay. My first reason for learning to play guitar at 19 was not to get chicks. It was to have an instrument to accompany my singing. Chicks was the second reason. So now I have been playing for almost 20 years. I have recently practiced quite a bit, since I have been recording my songs and my performance at FALO's 14th Annual Springfest was well received. I also played electric guitar in a couple of bands that never went anywhere. I have four guitars now, and they are (in order of aquisition): Fender Acoustic, Taylor Acoustic, Ovation Acoustic-Electric 12 String and a Fender Lone Star Stratocaster. Lately I have also dabbled with Tarra's Ibanez Bass.
Keyboard: In 1985, I bought this cool Roland Juno synthesizer with all kinds of versatility. I wanted to learn to play well, but ended up only dabbling. I played a few songs on the keyboard in a band and enjoyed waking my cousin up to the sound of choppers, bullets and space ships. But I could never master the art of doing two completely differing rhythms with seperate hands at the same time. It's not the same thing as drumming with all four limbs, because of course there is a melody involved. When I got frustrated with that, I would always go back and play my guitar.
Harmonica: I can play the harmonica parts for Piano Man and Heart of Stone flawlessly...but I am learning more. As a Father's day gift, not too long ago, I got a Chromatic Harmonica. That is cool. But it is still not my preferred instrument. More recently, I was given a neck brace to hold the harmonica while my hands are busy. So now I can play guitar or drums and harmonica at the same time.
Drums: I always liked beating on things. I have had a full drum kit for about a decade, and it was falling apart. Not too long ago, Tarra got me a new set for Yule. They are CB drums in deep green, and they play nice. I then bought a set of Zildjian cymbals, since the new ones sounded like tin cans. The cool thing about drums is that there are no notes to memorize or read...just a beat. I may not have perfect coordination, but rhythm I have, and I can just bang away for hours. I also have a Celtic Drum called a Bodhran and a Mid-Eastern drum called a...well...I'll put it in print when I learn to spell it. I also do pretty nicely with the tambourine. I have been using the drums as a cardio workout of late, since I am not playing with anyone. Someday I hope to own a set of Pearl drums. I tried them out in a music store and they sounded awesome.
Songwriting: Okay...that's not an instrument, but it is something I do. Or did. I have written close to twenty songs. In 2000 alone, I wrote, in whole or part, about 8 songs, and have recently completed recording them on a Tascam Four Track Recorder. It was fun doing all the tracks myself, including most of the instruments mentioned above, and the Bass as well. Now I have made my own CD including 13 original songs and me playing all the instruments and singing.
Vocals: From the third through the ninth grade, I sung in choral groups. I grew up in a house full of people who just sang all the time. I sing everywhere and at anytime I can. I sang backing vocals to a female lead singer in one of my bands, and alternated lead in two others. I sing for FALO and I sing in the car. Unfortunately, my voice has a mind of its own. Sometimes it cooperates and sometimes it doesn't. But hey, that never stopped Bob Dylan from going pro, so it won't stop me. Singing is one of my all time favorite things, right up there with chocolate and sex.