The Healing Power Of Music
Week of September 28, 2024
Chris’ personal journey throughout the years as a singer and songwriter has helped him explore the miraculous ways that we can use our voices as a source of motivation, change, dissent and healing even when even the faintest of notes ring through. The human voice and the art of songwriting constantly reminds us of the indomitable power of our spirits and our capacity for renewal. Sound is a form of energy, and our voices are our wisdom, courage, fragility, and influence.
At a young age, Chris developed a rare hearing disorder called Otosclerosis that led to the loss of hearing in one ear and partial deafness in the other, a setback that would deter many young musicians forever. The reality, however, fueled his passion and determination even more, forcing him to re-learn almost everything he had known prior. To Chris music was, and still is, an unconditional companion.
For the Rancho La Puerta workshop presentation, Chris will guide the attendees emotionally and theoretically through his songwriting process, and the search for his own authentic voice through music. He’ll share with the attendees the processes of conceptualizing, listening, crafting, recording, and performing original songs that motivate togetherness, civil discourse, and action. He will discuss the inspiration behind my music and perform examples during the workshop of my own original songs. At the end of each concert, we will seek emotional venerability, share ideas, and work on a song together to sing together as a unified chorus of humanity.
In 2023, Chris Pierce was handpicked to be the special guest opener for the NEIL YOUNG Coastal Tour. Recently, he gained additional worldwide prominence with “We Can Always Come Back to This”. His hit co/write aired on 3 episodes of the NBC primetime series ‘THIS IS US,’ then went on to #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart. Pierce has also done worldwide headlining tours and has supported: Neil Young, B.B. King, Seal, Al Green, Steve Earle, Allison Russell, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Rodrigo y Gabriella, Keb’Mo, Blind Boys of Alabama, Aaron Neville & others.
Other recent highlights include: a solo concert at The Kennedy Center, a ‘Playing for Change’ duet with Sara Bareilles, a sold-out Troubadour concert with Allison Russell, and performance/interviews on NPR’s WORLD CAFÉ, MOUNTAIN STAGE, AMERICAN FOLK SHOW, SoCAL SOUND, and more. Stellar performances at Newport Folk, AmericanaFest, Folk Alliance, Rancho La Puerta Folk Fest, Four Corners Folk, MerleFest & NC Folk Festival led to further acclaim.
His album, ‘AMERICAN SILENCE’ garnered critical acclaim from NPR, Rolling Stone, NoDepression, SiriusXM, The Bluegrass Situation, AmericanaUK, Acoustic Guitar and others. PopMatters named ‘AMERICAN SILENCE ’THE #1 Best Folk Album of 2021 and FolkAlley named “Residential School” from AMERICAN SILENCE one of the 100 Essential Folk Songs.
His newest album ‘LET ALL WHO WILL’ was released on September 1, 2023, with critical acclaim from NPR, NoDepression, American Songwriter, Hi Times and more. In addition to his solo career, Chris Pierce performs/records with both Americana/Folk/Soul sensation WAR & PIERCE with Sunny War, & the Americana/Roots band LEON CREEK.
“One of America’s most talented, gifted, and affecting artists.” – AMERICAN SONGWRITER
“I haven’t been so deeply, deeply moved by just a person and their guitar like this in a long time.” – NPR MUSIC