Spotlight: Chris Cornelius

Music Promotion via MusicSubmit.com

Webpage: http://www.cc.musicflows.com
Location: Castaic, California, USA
Description: Chris Cornelius is a versitile singer/songwriter/artist that conveys heartfelt messages with spiritual overtones, in his multi-textural guitar based songs.
Biography: Born in Mason, Michigan, Chris is a son of the late talented jazz keyboardist John Cornelius who in addition to many years of touring the US, accompanied the legendary singer Patti Page ("How much is that doggie in the window") early in her career. Chris moved with his family to Los Angeles at age 5 after his middle aged father retired from music to raise his new family. He got his first guitar at age 7 and took up the accordion at age 8. After a few years of lessons he became quite accomplished on the accordion and went to several state competitions where he won first, second and third place trophies. After being teased endlessly by his friends, he decided that playing the accordion wasn't cool anymore and gave it up at age 12. In junior high school he played clarinet and bass clarinet in the school orchestra for 2 years. Being influenced by bands like Led Zeppelin, Yes, The Beatles, America and the artist Neil Young ( to name a few), he started playing and writing folk and rock music. In later years his taste has expanded to include jazz, blues, classical, new age and several world music styles. Chris is mainly a self taught musician who discovered early on that he had an intuitive ability to assimilate and blend many styles of music into his own unique sound. Though not formally schooled in music, Chris studied music theory and harmony from books and very talented musician friends who were graduates of schools like Musicians Institute in Hollywood and Berklee School of Music in Boston. From the mid 80's through the mid 90's Chris played in several LA based rock bands: "The Audience", "The C.J. Cornelius Band" (country rock), "Persuasion", "Turning Point", and "Uncle Fester's Hot Tub Club Band" (dig that name!) to name a few. In the late 90's Chris formed an acoustic trio with his brother Marc and former girlfriend Tammy Ray called Cornelius Ray. With three part harmonies, guitars and assorted flutes, playing a blend of original and cover songs, they performed for 2 years around the LA area. Since then Chris has continued to record and perform live as solo artist. Chris's other credits include producing several projects for indie artists in Southern California and co-producing sessions at A & M Studios in Hollywood. In collaboration with "Turning Point" guitarist Marc Rivett, he also wrote, produced, performed and recorded the soundtrack for the feature film "Cold Heat" Starring Britt Eckland. From March to September 2006, Chris successfully toured the Philippines promoting his 3rd solo CD "On the road to you". Since the year 2000 Chris's Newest CD release "The Eyes of a Dreamer" is a compilation of the "best" songs from his first 4 solo CDs. Over the years Chris has become a versatile musician and singer with a sound that is a blend of pop/rock, folk, acoustic and world music influences with a touch of new age, jazz, classical, and country here and there. He is mainly a singer-guitarist but also plays keyboards, bass, wood and clay flutes, assorted hand drums and percussion.
Press Release: 9/14/2012 Chris's latest release "The Eyes of a Dreamer" is a 14 song download album featuring generally folkish pop/rock style arrangements fused with world music instrumentation on a few songs. The lyrics are honest, heartfelt and inspired.