His BadDaddy Records upcoming album, Heard Him On The Radio, showcases this soulful artist who symbolizes today's blues scene. Featuring his unique baritone vocal style, heartfelt songs and soulful saxophone solos, this album promises to satisfy even the most discriminating blues lover. With songs such as Seems Like A Good Time To Sing The Blues and Pyramid of Love, Chris captures the Jimmy Witherspoon-inspired traditional blues and adds a contemporary blues sound with some R&B flavor. Other cuts, such as Broken Man and Look What You've Done For Me, have a blues foundation with a hint of funk and pop appeal.
Motivated by his musical roots that included a piano-playing dad and a vaudevillian granddad, Chris was born to perform. He began his career as a child singing in southern gospel churches.
At 17, he began to play with a band called Soul Syndicate. This was the first of many bands he played with, ranging from R&B and blues to funk and jazz. One band in particular, Premium Stuff, led Chris to tour throughout the U.S. and Europe with the late, great Jimmy Witherspoons's band playing tenor sax and lead vocals. Attributing his musical style to "Spoon's" influences, Chris considers him to be one of his greatest mentors and touring with him one of his greatest honors. He also performed lead vocals and tenor sax for Frank Zappa's band.
A decade later, his group, Tough Times, landed a record deal with United Artists and played several gigs at the Troubadour. It was during this time that Chris honed his songwriting talent and began doing more studio work. As he continued to sharpen those skills and catalog songs, he joined Mike Morgan and the Crawl. Their 1996 album, Looky Here, sold over 100,000 copies and was well received by music critics. The group toured around the country performing at such venues as the Chicago Blues Jam and New Orleans House of Blues, to name a few.
Heard Him On The Radio, is a compilation of songs that span the blues spectrum. In addition to Witherspoon, Chris was also influenced by the sounds of Brook Benton and Bobby "Blue" Bland. In fact, Bland was the inspiration behind the album's title song, Heard Him On The Radio. While toying with the idea of turning his 95-mile-an-hour fastball into a professional baseball career, Chris heard Bland on the radio singing In Poverty and made the decision at that moment to choose music over baseball. That epiphany provides the foundation for the extraordinary passion and fire he brings to his latest upcoming album, Heard Him On The Radio.
The Reasons Why are Whynaught's backup group comprised of seven seasoned professionals. Together they create a very powerful blues review show, both on the CD and in live performances.
Peter Dobson - Guitar
This England native has been a vital part of the music scene for most of his life performing with well-knowns such as Fleetwood Mac's guitarist, Peter Green, Muddy Waters, Taj Majal bassist, Larry Fulcher and Soul Sensation, backup band for Al Green. Dobson's 3-piece band, Mythica, performed regularly on British national radio in the 60's and recorded for Beatle's producer, George Martin's A.I.R. label. His talents are not limited to his guitar playing; Peter also worked on the composition of several movie scores, the latest being acoustic guitar work on the award-winning score of Stephan Jonas' short, "The Tree".
Wendell Kelly - Trombone
Currently performing in the house band of The Howie Mandel Show on CBS, Wendell is well known for his musical talents as an arranger, composer, producer as well as a trombonist. He has played with greats such as Ray Charles, Patti Labelle, Natalie Cole, Lou Rawls, The Four Tops and The Temptations. Added to that list are popular artists like Whitney Houston, Paula Abdul and En Vogue. Kelly has also written and arranged for many artists for television, CD, film and live performances.
Baba Elefante - Bass
This bassist and composer was nominated one of the nation's top bass players in the Bass Player Magazine poll. His musical experience includes performances with Kansas, The Ron Kobayashi Trio and Toxic Jazz. He also played on the 1995 Universal Pictures movie, "The Hunted" as well as composed and played on the promotional video for the US Bob Sled team for the Winter Olympics.
Tom Bagley - Keyboards & Organ
Currently recording with Taj Majal's Phantom Blues Band, Tom began his musical career in East Africa playing Blues, Rock and Psychedelic Music. There he met his mentor, Stefan Hillstrom, which led him to Los Angeles where he has performed with the Peter Dobson Blues Band and recorded his own album, Baby's Comin' Home Tonight. Tom's other credits include playing in Disney's Tomorrowland band, Voyager and touring the world with Disney and Buena Vista.
Will Miller - Trumpet
This musician/composer/arranger has made his mark on the music world backing artists like Neil Diamond, Ray Charles, Harry Connick, Jr., Quincy Jones, Dionne Warwick and Ella Fitzgerald, and recording with greats such as Natalie Cole, Duke Ellington, The Temptations and Barry White. Miller has also contributed to the theatrical world performing in Broadway shows such as, Hello Dolly, Fiddler on the Roof, Sophisticated Ladies and Man of La Mancha. His credits don't stop there, Will has also been contracted as the lead trumpeter for the Diana Ross, Four Tops, Duke Ellington and the Southeast Symphony Orchestras. Along with the accomplishments listed Will Miller has also performed on television shows such as Fame, Solid Gold, The Image Awards and The American Music Awards.
Michael Fickling - Drums
With over 30 years of experience, this drummer adds soul and passion to this project. Having studied under world renowned drum instructor Freddie Gruber, Fickling landed gigs with such greats as Little Anthony, Ben E. King and Andrea Crouch. He's traveled the world from Australia to Switzerland to Germany and back again bringing with him a unique flavor that enriches every show.
