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 Bachelors 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 produced his sophomore CD Destinations Unknown. A stripped-to-basics offering that relied on a simple formula - well written songs, played straight up and sung convincingly by a strong country vocalist. The sound was every bit his own - honest and true country music with no apologies. Upon the completion of the album, Red Arrow Records, an independent label from Olympia, Washington signed Guenther. 'Destinations Unknown' received critical acclaim internationally. The album was distributed to European country radio, charting on the European Country Music Association's top 100 for three weeks and staying on the International Country Chart for more than ten consecutive weeks.

Currently, Guenther is producing his third studio project. It will be released in July 2006. 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. 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, it is minimal production, raw talent, and Chris' true Western grit that make him 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.

Q & A     

Additional Websites
about Chris:

Garage Band

Indie Avenue-
ChrisGuenther

Local Bands Network

My Jones Music.com

MySpace.Com

When did you decide you wanted to sing country music?

Music was a large part of my upbringing. When I was nine I went to the county fair and watched Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder perform. I wasn’t really into country at the time, but that show inspired me on so many levels. I think the most influential part of that experience was meeting Skaggs after the show. At that moment I realized that I wanted to be a multi-instrumentalist and a country music entertainer.

Recently you released a new album. You are credited with production as well as playing six of nine instruments on it. Why have you chosen to play such a large role in the development of your records?

This may come as a slam to some, but I will try my best to be diplomatic. I believe that I am an artist first. Why would I want to turn my vision over to someone else? Granted, I could go to Nashville and mortgage the house to get a record done that sounds like 90% of the stuff on radio, but I would not get the satisfaction of saying it was my vision, or that I had a hand in it. I am proud of what I have accomplished in that past few years on my own. My system can only get better, stronger, and more efficient. The need to improve myself and my music is what inspires me the most. I know some people can’t get past the production of records not made on music row, but that is their problem. I can rest assured that I didn’t waste a whole lot of money on a product that doesn’t resemble the artist that I truly am.

How would you describe your sound? Influences?

My sound is a vibrant blend of country, western, folk, and Americana that builds on the sounds of country music's predecessors – raw, intense, and poetic. I think Jack Daniels is my biggest influence. Just kidding - I have too many influences to list, but I will mention a few. I am a big fan of the Bakersfield Sound, Texas swing, and honky tonk.  Bob Wills, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Wynn Stewart, Ricky Skaggs,  Buck Owens & the Buckaroos, Hank Williams, Chris LeDoux, and George Strait are some that have been inspirational.

Do you believe that an independent artist can have a productive career?

Yes. With the aid of the Internet and the rapid advance of recording and marketing technology, independent artists can compete with the major labels for the first time. Well produced recordings can be laid down in a project studio that stand toe to toe with the majors.