Chris Guenther
(ctguenther)
-- vox, guitars, fiddle, mandolin, piano, harmonica
Luke McAlister
-- piano and organ
Mike Schweedler
-- steel guitar and dobro
James Gillette
-- upright and electric bass, backing vox
Melody Guenther
-- drums/percussion and backing vox
ABOUT THE BAND - Widely known throughout the Pacific Northwest, Chris Guenther has performed for rodeos, livestock shows, county fairs, festivals, casinos, colleges, corporate events, as well as major concert venues. He is a BMI songwriter and a talented multi-instrumentalist, producer, and bandleader with two albums under his belt. Turning professional in his teens, Guenther cut his teeth in honkytonks and dancehalls, cultivating a distinctive sound that resonates vivid realism about love, dependency, redemption, struggle, and change. His songs tell poignant poetic stories about the American experience - blending western folk, Texas swing, progressive honky tonk, and rockabilly into his own stylistic brand of contemporary country music.
Raised in rural Southwest, Washington, Chris Guenther was born with hard country music in his veins. While high school peers followed contemporary music trends, Guenther gravitated towards the classic country sounds favored by an older generation. Neo-traditional artists such as George Strait and Alan Jackson became role models. With a strong focus and advanced musical ability, Guenther released his debut album ‘Honky Tonk Livin’ in 2001 and started his own independent record label, Blackboard Records. Gaining only modest attention, Guenther was slow with a follow up. Rather than waste time waiting for something to break loose in the country music business, Guenther worked on completing his Bachelor’s degree at Washington State University, while taking low-paying gigs and minimum wage jobs. Struggling to fight off reconciliation between his dream and reality, Guenther came close to setting his musical ambition aside.
For the next two years, Guenther focused on developing a strong backing band and increased his tour schedule, building a reputation as a must-see act. A chance meeting in a Nashville nightclub with K.W. Turnbow, veteran drummer for Chris LeDoux's Western Underground re-inspired Guenther to take his music back into the studio and work on a new record. With Turnbow's mentorship, Guenther wrote and selected songs for his next project.
Nearly five years after his debut CD release, Guenther returned to the studio with his band. In February 2005 he began producing his sophomore CD ‘Destinations Unknown’. A stripped-to-basics offering that relies on a simple formula – well written songs, played straight up and sung convincingly by a strong country vocalist. The sound is every bit his own – honest and true country music with no apologies. Upon the completion of the new album, Red Arrow Records, an independent label from Olympia, Washington signed Guenther. 'Destinations Unknown' is receiving critical acclaim both nationally and internationally. The album is currently being distributed to European country radio and college broadcast markets throughout the United States.
When not producing, writing, or recording, Guenther maintains an active tour schedule, performing at venues throughout Washington, Oregon, and Idaho with his band the Honky Tonk Drifters. He has built a strong legion of followers, and continues to strengthen his reputation as a talented and entertaining act.
Country music can be loosely defined in contemporary times. The raw, edgy, and original sounds have been replaced with a hollow void and lack of creativity. While plush and over-processed might seem like good business to the major record label establishment, minimal production, raw talent, and pure Western grit is what makes artists like Chris Guenther stand above the status quo. He is not a follower - he is original and true to himself and the fundamentals of the country music genre. He is a poet and an artist/entertainer above all else.
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