| Chris Beard joins the leaders of
the newest generation poised to take music into the next century.
Beard was born into the Blues of Rochester, New York on August
29, 1957 as son of blues guitarist Joe Beard, who is just now
receiving recognition as a recording artist. Chris grew up surrounded
by blues players and the music. Naturally there were many greats
passing through the house as they came to town to do shows with
Joe and his band. Buddy Guy and Matt Murphy are just two of the
many ace guitarists Chris remembers from those early days.
Chris Picked up the guitar at
age five and there was no looking back. The first tune he could
pick out was “Green Onions”, which is appropriate
as that funky mix of blues and instrumental panache that characterizes
so much of his style today. At age 15, Beard was working steadily
with an established R&B band, now known as national recording
artists, CAMEO. Invited to go on the road, mom said no, he had
to finish school. After years of working as a sideman in local
bands and with his father, Chris took the big step of fronting
his own group and setting out to establish himself as a serious
modern Blues artist. With songwriting influences acknowledged
such as Luther Allison, Albert King, Buddy Guy and Johnny “guitar”
Watson, this young man has also carved out an identity for himself
as a talented writer.
In June of 1998, Beard released
his first CD “Barwalkin”, which earned him a 1998
nomination for the W.C. Handy Award, “Best New Blues Artist”,
the Oscar of the blues world. In 1999 he won the Muddy Waters
Award by Blues Beat Magazine, “New Talent of the Year”.
Chris Beard’s warm soulful voice was ideally suited to
his material and the songs were written by Chris and steeped
in the Blues tradition, but with a nice new contemporary edge.
Producing this CD for Chris was recording artist Johnny Rawls,
a Soul/Blues veteran and former O. V. Wright Bandleader that
brought in the sweet southern soul and deep blues grooves to
this project.
His next release in 2001, “Born
to Play the Blues”, Chris produced himself and showcases
his own feeling for the blues. His powerful and passionate vocals,
punctuated by his talent for strong, clean guitar lines, result
in a sound that is emotionally charged and impeccably played.
Chris Beard’s third CD,
“Live Wire”, also produced by Chris, is scheduled
for release in 2005. A compilation of two “live”
performances in Grand Rapids, MI and Chicago, IL which contains
new songs and bonus studio tracks. This disc exhibits, without
doubt, Chris’ extraordinary talent as a musician and contemporary
blues artist. His absolute stage presence and showmanship come
through to take you there in the listening. This CD seals Beard’s
place in the top rank of the young bluesmen for the future.
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