Artist Spotlight
Born into a rich musical legacy, Chris began his musical career almost as soon as he could walk. "From an early age I was surrounded by music on both sides of the family," recalls Chris, "and it was something that came very natural and easy for me." Chris never took any musical lessons and considers his ability to hear something a few times and then play it a "gift from God." In elementary school, Chris was already learning to play the drums, piano, and guitar. While growing up in Tennessee, Chris spent summers on his grandparents farm in south Alabama, working in the fields and singing in church. During this time he developed an appreciation for family harmonies and a steadfast work ethic. At 15, Chris began playing piano for a group called the Telestials, touring the Southern Gospel circuit. The week he graduated high school, he started touring with brother Rusty in The Boys Band; the group recorded an album for Elektra /Asylum and had a pop hit that stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks. At 19 Chris stepped out from behind the drums and made his lead vocal debut on the hit TV show Hee Haw. In 1995, he began performing with The Oak Ridge Boys playing "whatever's left;" guitar, mandolin, harmonica and filling in on keyboards and drums. From 1997-2014 this multi-talented man, who also has charted songwriter credits, became the Oaks full-time drummer. He has been the voice of Heinz 57 as national radio spokesman "to support my music habit," has played a variety of instruments on a multitude of recordings over the years, produced various projects for clients such as Polygram and EMI Records, and has also enjoyed a brief stint with country-rock legends The Flying Burrito Brothers. In 2000 Chris produced his father William Lee Golden's CD Box Set My Life's Work. In 2020, he once again went back in the studio with father William Lee, his brothers, and three children and longtime friends and recorded 35 songs as William Lee Golden & The Goldens which the first single 'Come & Dine' made it to Number One 3 weeks in a row on the CDX charts. We have hit some of the major highlights of Chris Golden's amazing career to date and he keeps going...a constant in songwriting, producing and performing. Releasing "Prodigal's" was a labor of love, check out our May issue for all the details on this incredible song. Chris is featured for a second month in a row in the Artist Spotlight with a May #1 on the Power Source Christian Country Top 40. Just in case you missed all the buzz...PRODIGALS was #1 APRIL & MAY! CONGRATULATIONS CHRIS GOLDEN - BACK TO BACK CHART TOPPER!!
www. ChrisGolden.net
5
