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 2004.
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.