New Jersey Stage Issue 71 | Page 67

(Full disclosure: Christian and I have been friends since high school, although we went to different high schools in the same town. He was trying to get a band going with a mutual friend, who wound up inviting me to join them. Since 2007, I have played organ and accordion for him on a few cover songs recorded for tribute albums and on stage for Christian’s occasional full-band show.) Since the release of Christian’s first solo album in 2009, I have run his website and created promotional materials like flyers and buzz cards. Every now and then, I’ll send out a press release on his behalf. After releasing his self-titled CD in 2009, Christian continued to write many songs and produced demo versions of many of these over the years. However, a followup release never materialized—until now. Christian officially released a six-song EP called DoubleLife in April 2020—right in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortly before the official April 10 release date, Christian mentioned his interest in making a video for the first single, “Highway Sun.” In normal times, you could go somewhere, get some people togeth- Watch a video for “Highway Sun” by Christian Beach NJ STAGE - ISSUE 71 INDEX NEXT ARTICLE 67