Biography All Music Guide Wikipedia
All Music Guide:
Contemporary Christian producer, publisher, and recording artist Chris Christian has been performing since 1974. He has earned nine Grammy nominations for production and seven Gospel Music Dove Awards for his work as a songwriter and publisher. He has released 14 records of his own music, scoring a Top Ten single with "I Want You, I Need You." He has helped to jump-start the careers of artists such as Amy Grant, Marilyn McCoo, and Eric Champion.
Wikipedia:
Chris Christian (born Lon Christian Smith on February 7, 1955 in Abilene, Texas) is a songwriter, record producer, and a record label executive. His songs have been recorded by Elvis Presley, Olivia Newton-John, Natalie Cole, Sheena Easton, The Pointer Sisters, Al Jarreau, The Carpenters, Amy Grant, Patti Austin, Dionne Warwick, America, The Imperials, B.J. Thomas, B W Stevenson, Marilyn McCoo, Dan Peek (America), Cheryl Ladd, Jane Oliver, Sandi Patti, Ali Lohan, and others.
As a member of the trio of Cotton, Lloyd & Christian (put together by Mike Curb) in the early 1970s, he enjoyed two top 40 Billboard Hits on 20th Century Records. The group performed on Dick Clarks "American Bandstand" and "Midnight Special". Christian also played guitar with Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, and the Wayne Newton, band.
As a record producer, he is best known for starting Amy Grant's music career by signing her at age 16 to his production company and playing a demo of one of her songs over the telephone to Myrrh Records executive Stan Moser. Christian produced her first album and acted as executive producer for her second, handing over production duties to his college friend Brown Bannister. His company "Bug and Bear Music" continued to publish and own her songs until 1997 when he sold them to Gaylord Entertainment.
He has produced The Pointer Sisters, Patti Austin, Al Jarreau, Natalie Cole, Amy Grant, Dallas Cowboys, B J Thomas,Dan Peek,B W Stevenson,Debby Boone,Steve Archer,Bill Gaither,Marilyn McCoo,Eric Champion, Ali Lohan, Pat Boone,and over 100 other albums.
As the first Artist signed to Boardwalk Records owned by Neil Bogart, with Bob Gaudio (Four Seasons) producing, he recorded "I Want You, I Need You," which peaked at #37 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1981 and reached the Top 10 on Billboards A/C Chart. Cheryl Ladd sings back-up on the song along with many other Artists on the album including Christopher Cross, Nigel Olsen, Frankie Vallie, Dann Huff, Tommy Funderburk, Bill Champlin, Amy Holland, and Robbie Patton. Other Artists on Boardwalk were Ringo Starr, Joan Jett, Mike Love (Beach Boys), and Night Ranger. Robert Kardashian (the Kardashians' father) was his best friend, manager and was responsible for Chris signing with Boardwalk Records.
Christian has produced albums that have been nominated for nine and won four Grammy Awards. He has also been nominated for seven Gospel Music Association Dove Awards as an Artist, songwriter, and producer, winning five. He has also released sixteen other albums as a solo Artist.
In 1981, Chris launched his own label Home Sweet Home Records. On that label he produced albums for White Heart, Steve Archer, Mark Heard, Dan Peek, B J Thomas, Eric Champion, Rick Riso, Luke Garrett, Marilyn McCoo and others.
In 1992 he founded HSH Educational Media and Executive Produced and wrote the music for the popular Children's series "Gerbert" which aired on PBS and what is now ABC Family Channel for over 10 years. The "Gerbert" TV series won an ACE award for best Pre-School Show.
Chris purchased The Studios at Las Colinas in 1992 with partner Steve Jarchow. Ross Perot Jr. bought Jarchows interest in 1993. Chris and Ross purchased the acreage around the Studios Complex selling their interest in the Studio and most of the remaining property in 2003.
Christian was CEO of World Digital Media Group and YMC Records, a joint venture by Radio Shack, Dish Network, Sirius Radio, and CC Entertainment until May 2007.
He was inducted into the West Texas Music Hall of Fame. [1], as well as the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2007.[2] Most recently, he joined the ownership group of the WNBA's Tulsa Shock [3].
