2011 is ending on a good note for indie singer-songwriter Christopher Wilson. Both Out There Eddy and Diane Drove--from Wilson’s Read On CD, released on a Canadian American Records singles sampler in July--are again airing on independent radio stations worldwide in both Americana/Alternative Country and Rock-formatted stations. As of September 2011, Out There Eddy sits at #21 in the Top 40 most played independent country songs. Wilson’s name is also included on the Entry List ballot of potential nominees for Best New Artist at the 2012 Grammy Awards.
Christopher Wilson is currently recording Insular, his third full-length CD scheduled for release in 2012. Insular is a conceptual record of vignettes, each song portraying a human state of emotional isolation. The first single Point the Finger--a rock-reggae favorite at recent live shows--will be released to radio and retail in early 2012, with the full album release and tour as Christopher Wilson Band to follow.
Wilson's music is a sonic synergy of acoustic folk-rock, alternative pop-rock, and hard rock. Hailed as "a troubadour from olden times who's just visiting this era," by Indie-Music.com, Wilson draws from vast influences: rock bands Heart, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Rush; alternative bands The Smiths, R.E.M., The Church; unorthodox singer-songwriters Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, and Jeff Buckley; and folk legends John Denver, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young. The combination of Wilson's emotive, sometimes ethereal vocals, guitar prowess, and pop-rock writing sensibilities has garnered a range of positive reviews: "Triumphantly upbeat pop poetry reminiscent of R.E.M.” -Outvoice.net; "Impressive peaceful tunes, an enjoyable sensation."-Skylight Webzine; "Thought-provoking lyrics reinforced by strong, emotional vocals."-Outsmart magazine
This Pennsylvania native began playing guitar and singing in church at the age of nine in his hometown of Harrisburg. The fifth of seven children, Wilson's first indie outing was leaving home at seventeen to join the army. During his military years, Wilson frequently entertained fellow soldiers in stairwells of barracks and eventually formed his first rock band while stationed at Johnston Atoll. With a collection of original poetry and much ambition, Wilson exited the military and began writing and recording his own songs. By the mid-nineties he relocated to New York City performing regularly at Kenny's Castaways, CBs 313 Gallery, The Spiral, and Sidewalk Cafe as solo acoustic act Wilson Christopher.
In 1997, Wilson relocated to Texas and began releasing his music as an independent artist in Houston. Wilson performed in many Houston nightclubs and cafes most notably Last Concert Cafe, Rudyard’s British Pub, Sidecar Pub, Notsuoh, Dean's Credit Clothing, and The Wine Bar. In 2001, his debut CD East Mall Daze was released on his own Cattle Call Records label, distributed by Southwest Distribution. A video of the single How Why & When went into regular rotation on the Austin Music Network. In spring 2007, How Why & When was featured on the boarding music playlist of the entire Delta Air Lines fleet alongside major label artists Beck, Gwen Stefani, Keane, Bon Jovi, Kelly Rowland, India Arie, and Chaka Khan. In spring 2011, How Why & When cracked the top ten list of most requested songs at Indie104 in Los Angeles. Other songs from East Mall Daze that received airplay included Calling Kerry (90.1 KPFT in Houston), and Arnold Avenue (91.7 KOOP in Austin).
Wilson's second CD Read On, released in 2007, served as the soundtrack to the Jeff Faulkinbury independent film of the same name, which featured Wilson performing Smoke and Mirrors, a lyrical jab at the pitch-corrected, auto-tuned, studio-manufactured pop stars of today. By summer of 2007, Read On received airplay at over 300 college and public radio stations throughout the USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Greece, Belarus, Macedonia, and The Netherlands. Read On also charted in the CMJ Top 30 at six college radio stations in the USA. Songs from Read On that received airplay included Out There Eddy, Diane Drove, No Such Thing, Circle of Palms, Smoke and Mirrors, and the acoustic ballad If Only. In February 2011, If Only was selected for inclusion on the compilation CD for the fifteenth annual Millennium Music Conference in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where Wilson performed for a hometown crowd.
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