March 2024
Chris Chitsey
BY-------Graham Sclater
Native Texan, Chris Chitsey, made a name for himself on the competitive,
Texas honky-tonk circuit before graduating to success on a national level in
the early 2000's. His smooth evocative voice and energetic stage presence
quickly established Chris as one of the latest Texas exports to find national
acclaim.
Rooted in the smooth Texas country style, Chris began his music career, as
a high schooler, on the stage of his father’s Bar-B-Q restaurant and
entertainment venue in the heart of Austin, TX. Raised on a steady diet of
George Strait, Garth Brooks, Randy Travis, Merle Haggard, Keith Whitley &
Alan Jackson, Chris’ future had taken shape.
After becoming the main attraction in Central Texas throughout his college
years, Chris inked his first record deal two years into his college career at
Southwest Texas State University. His self-titled debut album had three
songs hit the top spot, including "At a Time like This," "John Wayne Rides
Again" and "With A Body Like That", which spent 18 weeks on the CMT and
GAC Top 10 Countdowns. Chris completed his undergraduate degree and went on to earn a master's degree, all while maintaining his focus on his music career.
Chris’ journey in the country music business has been a true testament to his talent, persistence and dedication he brings to the table. His star power, world-class voice and imposing personality have brought him the national acclaim that country music fans knew was coming since the beginning. His skill as a commanding and confident entertainer is apparent every time he takes the stage, carrying fans on one of music's most enjoyable journeys. His versatility is evident in the wide range of singles he has released.
His first self-titled album had three songs that hit the national country charts, including: “At a Time like this,” “John Wayne Rides Again,” and “With a Body Like That,” and spent 18 weeks on the CMT and GAC Top Ten Countdowns.
After many years of working on the road Chris charted his first #1 single “Lonely in Tucson” in February 2015 on the New Music Weekly Country American Chart followed by two more number #1’s, “Superstitious Heart,” and “Just Don’t Know Me Yet.”
Chris has continued to tour and in 2023 Chris collaborated with Nashville Producer D. Scott Miller, and their first single, “Last Time I Saw You,” written by Rob Martin and Frank Maloney, reached the #1 chart position for the 43rd week of 2023 on the World Indie Music Top 100 Chart, #1 chart position on the European Indie Music Chart, and, #1 chart position on the MEI Italian Indie Music Chart. The track also reached #11 on the New Country Weekly Charts and #14 on the Country Music Chart.
Chris Chitsey has an immense passion for Country music and with the input from producer D. Scott Miller they have captured the very essence of today’s country music. And, his latest release ‘Life is Hard, Whiskey is Easy’ demonstrates that.
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