Chris Starr

If you were to ask, “Who is Chris Starr”, he’ll simply reply; ”Chris Starr is the common man. A common man, that represents reality and joy”. Although he believes he may represent the common man, his musical style is anything but common. His style, which he describes as “feel-good with reality lyrics”, re-captures the missing elements of today’s music, lost in the shuffle of the “Bling Blangers.” Chris states, “with the exception of a small few, there’s no love in the mainstream (R...

If you were to ask, “Who is Chris Starr”, he’ll simply reply; ”Chris Starr is the common man. A common man, that represents reality and joy”. Although he believes he may represent the common man, his musical style is anything but common. His style, which he describes as “feel-good with reality lyrics”, re-captures the missing elements of today’s music, lost in the shuffle of the “Bling Blangers.” Chris states, “with the exception of a small few, there’s no love in the mainstream (R&B/Hip-Hop) music of today... the “joy” has been ripped out. It seems the worse you are (talent wise), the better you are”. Chris, was born in Indianapolis, In., receiving an early inspiration from music in life, when his mother and several of her (14) siblings would travel to various churches, showcasing their gospel music talents and ministries. He states “I would see the smiles on the faces of the congregation, you could feel the “Great Joy” that would encompass the whole room, knowing in my heart as a small child, that I wanted to make people feel the same way,” adding “as my mother said to me at that time”, “Then know in your heart son, that the Lord has a hand in all things, and will see your quest to it’s end!” But it was after hearing Marvin Gaye’s song,” Here, My Dear, “Chris’s quest to sing was sealed. Chris’ musical appreciations began to slowly and methodically coalesce around the R&B genre while in his early teens, as he so eloquently explains, “while tuning up the car radio in my early days, up would pop Marvin Gaye, and You could feel Marvin Gaye’s pain, but his singing would ensure you would get through the adversity. It was like your own father talking to you!” In addition to Marvin Gaye, Chris lists Prince and the Debarge siblings as his musical influences. You can hear some of the similarities in Chris’s vocal structure, “the acquiescing of smooth falsetto tones”, “the vocal stamina”, “the natural strength and command of his voice range”, while “facilitating the delivery of emotion in his own unique and subtle style”. Listening to his voice you’ll quickly realize that each note synchronized becomes the melody, and then each melody, becomes his and his alone. You can hear the joy AND the pain in each note. Chris mentions “The multitude of diverse Production experiences helped me zero in on the concept and perception of individuality” and “the move to Atlanta submerged me into a melting pot of musical varieties and styles that without a doubt, I would not have been exposed to in Indiana” And “The transition to L.A. has been a phenomenal experience the opportunity to be mentored by the living Hip Hop legend Snoop Dogg and the many other hip hop artists and R&B performers and producers of the likes of; Big Daddy Kane, Kurupt, Akon, Macy Gray, Mike Epps, Terrace Martin, DJ Battlecat and many others”. You can hear the various music genres in Chris’ catalog of songs, each done with the creative and insightful interpretation warranted. His lyrics are a testimony to his every day life, from no relationship, to relationship struggles, from desperation to inspiration, each composition echoes an illustration of life’s existence, those situations and circumstances that we all have, or will have, to endure at some point. As Chris says “The trials of life give,” The Musical Story”, depth and meaning, and because of them, I’m not afraid to say - I love you!”