Chris Nelson

I've been playing music for more years than I can remember. I've been involved mostly with garage bands that never went anywhere. I write and record my own music. For a while, I was in a band called Fishkill, which had limited success in central Pennsylvania. Now I perform as a solo acoustice guitarist and record playing all the instruments unless a guest appears on the record. That doesn't happen too often. I've found that you have to do things yourself if you expect to get things done, a...

I've been playing music for more years than I can remember. I've been involved mostly with garage bands that never went anywhere. I write and record my own music. For a while, I was in a band called Fishkill, which had limited success in central Pennsylvania. Now I perform as a solo acoustice guitarist and record playing all the instruments unless a guest appears on the record. That doesn't happen too often. I've found that you have to do things yourself if you expect to get things done, although I'll accept help from anyone who's willing to give it. It's a big job promoting your own music and I don't expect to sell a million CDs--I'd be happy with about 20 sales! The best part about being independent is that I can make my own rules and take risks with my music. I'm experimenting right now with folk music, fusing it with rock and roll to come up with something I call "dark folk". Risk taking is something many new bands won't do anymore and music is suffering because of it. I publish my own CDs on my label, Fishwhacked, and distribute them using whatever means is available. My band's 4 CDs are also on that label. I refuse to stop doing this because I feel driven to make music. I figure I'll still be playing, writing, and recording well into my 80's! It's crossed over from a hobby to an obsession. I play for my own enjoyment, but I want to share what I do with others. I hope you like what you hear!