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All Music Guide:
Possessing both a soulful singing voice that harks back to the masters of the style like Donny Hathaway and Bill Withers and a laid back, largely acoustic sensibility that fits in nicely with singer-songwriter contemporaries like John Mayer and Jack Johnson, Chris Pierce spans musical generations. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Pierce was a struggling local singer-songwriter until he met Seal at a living room gig in 2004 and was invited to be the opening act on the British singer's world tour. His debut album, 2005's Static Trampoline, was followed by a 2006 live album, Music in the Moment, that was released only in Japan. To help increase his public profile, Pierce started placing songs on various TV shows, including Grey's Anatomy and What About Brian, and in commercials, along with his steady live work and a growing buzz on the internet and on adult album alternative radio stations like southern California's KCRW. A second studio album, Walking on the Earth, was released in the spring of 2008.
Wikipedia:
Chris Pierce is an American musician.
Early life [edit]
Chris Pierce is a singer, songwriter, wine producer born in California. As a boy, he pursued acting and singing in local theater presentations, and appearing on notable television shows.
At 15 years old Pierce was playing sets in clubs around Los Angeles and had been a repeat guest on the television show Big Break, hosted by Natalie Cole. Still in high school, he began playing gigs with Grammy-nominated rock musician Jon Butcher. At 19 years old he performed on a road tour with Sonia Dada in the U.S., and later continued on to Moscow.
Post Sonia Dada Tour, Pierce came home to Southern California to work on his degree in Jazz studies at USC. He has been recording and doing independent road tours playing up to 150 shows a year. He grew up on classic soul, rhythm and blues, jazz, gospel and rock and roll recordings.
Career [edit]
Chris Pierce currently resides in Los Angeles, CA. He continues to tour worldwide. He is also co-owner of a wine label called Ledbetter Dry Creek Valley Syrah.
He has opened for B.B. King, Seal, Aaron Neville, Colbie Caillat, Al Green, Jamie Cullum, Toots & The Maytals, Robert Cray and Brett Dennen, among others. He has had song placements on the Oscar award winner Crash and T.V shows like Brothers and Sisters, "In Plain Sight", "Eli Stone", What About Brian, Lincoln Heights, "North Shore", "Half and Half" and Army Wives. His single "Are You Beautiful" has been used in a national Banana Republic ad campaign. Critic Paul Saitowitz of The Press-Enterprise compared his voice to Ray Charles, writing that it "fluctuates from delicate falsettos to shrieks reminiscent of Ray Charles". In a concert review, the San Antonio Express-News wrote that he has "one of the most powerful voices going."
Pierce's songs are currently featured on both Sirius Radio and XM Radio. Pierce has relationships and sponsorships with several music and clothing companies, including Blue Microphones, Taylor Guitars, Horny Toad and Nau Activewear.
Recordings [edit]
Other recordings include: When the Hustle Comes to a Stop (2012), I Can Hear You (2011) Chris Pierce Live At The Hotel Cafe (2009) Walking on the Earth (2007) Static Trampoline (2005) Intimate Moments (2004) Liberation Vol. 1 (2002)
Television [edit]
Chris Pierce's music has been featured on TV shows like Brothers & Sisters, What About Brian, "Dawson's Creek", "Eli Stone", "Half and Half", "Lincoln Heights", Army Wives, In Plain Sight, and Sister Act among others. Pierce also co-wrote "Clap it Out" with Jared Faber, Sy Smith and Deron Johnson which was featured in the film "The Long Shots" starring Ice Cube.
Commercials and Radio [edit]
Pierce's music was also featured on a Banana Republic ad campaign that included 6 different commercials during the show "Project Runway." Additionally, he was chosen as KCRW's Today's Top Tune and he appeared on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic with Nic Harcourt, who selected Chris's album, Walking on The Earth, as "Best album of July 08".
