What tomorrow means to me. By Chris Pierce

I just got back from a very inspiring hike to watch the sun set on a mountaintop in Southern California on Dr. Martin Luther King Day. On the hike I was overwhelmed with emotions and thought that it would be best to come home and attempt to work it all out by writing it down.

I think about my parent’s interracial marriage and all that they fought for. I think about the church that refused to marry them and the one that had the courage to stand up and recognize the love that they shared. I think about the priest that refused to baptize me when I was born with a heart defect. I think of how blessed I was to grow up in California, a somewhat tolerant place when it comes to unity and understanding.

Tomorrow makes me think of my ancestors, some who came to America from Europe voluntarily as immigrants to build a better life, some who were born on this land only to have it violently taken away from them, and some who were forced to come to America in slavery.

I think about my father who didn’t live to witness tomorrow. I think of him growing up in the south and all that he witnessed and endured as a young man. I think of him riding on the back of the bus and being treated like a second-class citizen. I’ll always wonder how he would describe the way that tomorrow would make him feel.

I’m thinking about my mother, an educator and woman whom has always fought hard for equal rights. A woman who once told me that where she grew up in the Midwest, it was so segregated that she didn’t see an African American in person until she was in her early teens. I think about what it must have been like for her to fall in love with and marry my father, an African American man in a time of so much intolerance and start a family.

All of my personal history comes to mind for many reasons, but perhaps most of all, I feel that we all have extraordinary personal and historical ties to what we are all going to be feeling tomorrow. Tomorrow comes a day when this country will feel as together and tolerant than ever. A day when we will all be given a chance to move forward with what’s been given to us. Tomorrow brings us a President who truly represents all of us. Our trials, tribulations, triumphs and mistakes. Tomorrow means to me that we will be given another chance to live together, work together and truly celebrate our oneness. Peace, CP

Hosted By:
Chris Pierce

When:
Friday, January 23, 2009

Where:
The El Rey Theatre
5515 Wilshire Blvd. (3 blocks West of La Brea)
Los Angeles
90036

Description:
1.23.09 THIS FRIDAY! Chris Pierce Live At The El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, California. ONE NIGHT ONLY. ALL AGES. Tix available at the door the night of the show for only $20 or at www.ticketmaster.com in advance. Doors 8pm. 2 great opening bands: Chris Joyner and Elevaters. Chris Pierce will hit the stage at 10:00. Extended set!

Click Here To View Event

Two thousand eight was a year of learning and possibilities. Traveling around the world, opening shows for some of my musical heroes and having my music included in the campaign for the 44th President of the United States has made this a extremely humbling and memorable time. Two thousand eight reminds me of a poem by one of my favorite writers Langston Hughes who reminds us to, "Hold fast to your dreams, for without them life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly." I believe that we are all experiencing a shift in energy now which makes this holiday season a time to focus on the important things: health, love, family, helping others, hard work and the fruits of our labor. Thank you so much for all of the continued love and support for my music in good times and hard ones too. I'm looking forward to making more memories through music with you in the years ahead. Happy holidays and may there be peace on earth. ~Chris Pierce

P.S. I'm really looking forward to the El Rey Theatre show on January 23, 2009. I really hope everyone that's able can make it out. It's going to be a great night with special guests in my favorite theatre in Los Angeles that I'm very honored to play at. The show is 3 days after the inauguration so there will be plenty to celebrate! Spread the good word! Thanks.

Music That's Alive
Review: Blue Microphone Launch Party with Chris Pierce

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:09:02 -0800 PST
by Scott G - The G-Man

Music That's Alive

Blue Microphones this past week threw a private party (November 6, 2008), to demonstrate their latest products and it turned out to have the most security of any event in the city. The site was the Gibson/Baldwin Showroom which is right next to the Beverly Hills Police Department.

Most exciting was the entertainment, in which indie recording artist Chris Pierce performed using Blue mics, thus proving they can not only stand up to the rigors of a high energy, world-class live act, but come through with flying colors. Pierce, who was also the first artist to use the Icicle with Blue's Bottle mic to record directly into a computer, has been thrilling audiences a decade and will soon be the opening act for B.B. King. I've seen full shows by both artists and let me assure you that audiences on that tour are in for a treat.

Opening his too-brief set with an a cappella wail of such power and passion that he instantly silenced a crowded room full of schmoozers, Pierce launched into a wild amalgamation of funk, folk and rock that was the very definition of vigorous. Pierce seems to operate on raw energy crossed with lightning as he climbs all over his clever lyrics and deftly beats the hell out of his big Epiphone jazzbox.

As if Pierce wasn't powerful enough, his band features cool controlled explosions from bassist Orlando Sims, percussionist David Leach and drummer Bryon Holley. These guys could make nursery rhymes sound dangerous and their ability to propel each verse and chorus with just the right amount of gunpowder was beautiful to behold. Steve Aguilar's keyboards and Jon Butcher's electric guitar work were alternately silky smooth or razor sharp. The interplay and dynamics of these six musicians simply cannot be topped.

We are very pleased to announce that Chris Pierce has been asked to play a string of dates as the opening act for the legendary bluesman B.B. King! As you can imagine this is a humbling honor for Chris and we hope you can make it out to one of the shows. A list of dates below. More to come!

B.B. KING WITH SPECIAL GUEST CHRIS PIERCE
11/20 - Majestic Theatre, San Antonio, TX
12/27 - Club Nokia, Los Angeles, CA
12/28 – Club Nokia, Los Angeles, CA
12/29 – House Of Blues, Anaheim, CA
1/4 – House of Blues, San Diego, CA

Chris Pierce and Leela James have recorded a remake of the 1968 No.1 UK hit "Private Number" for STAX Records for the new film "Soul Men" staring Samuel L. Jackson and the late Bernie Mac in theaters November 7. The song is featured in the film and on the soundtrack, which is released November 4 and also features Isaac Hayes, John Legend, Me'Shell Ndegéocello, Anthony Hamilton and others. Check out the press release here

VOTE (U.S. Election November 4, 2008)

Now is the time to act. For good reason many Americans have become cynical about what politics can achieve. I believe that we should not let cynicism win. This is our moment and the most monumental election in our lifetimes. All that matters is NOW. Stand up and be counted. Let's not let this moment pass us by. Be a part of history and by whatever means, VOTE." ~CP

We are very pleased to announce that Chris Pierce’s music is now being played by Nic Harcourt on the radio program Morning Becomes Eclectic on KCRW! In Southern California keep your dial tuned to 89.9 FM from 9a.m till Noon weekdays and listen for different songs to be played from CP’s album "Walking on the Earth". You can listen online at KCRW.com

This Thursday April 3, "Keep on Keepin On" will be TODAYS TOP TUNE and available for free download on iTunes.

On Tuesday April 22, 2008 at 11AM Chris will be a guest on the show with a live 30-minute set performance accompanied by his band. KCRW will have more details about the event soon.

Nic Harcourt KCRW’s music director and host of Morning Becomes Eclectic kicked off his show on Friday March 21st with the radio debut of "All That Matters is Now" from my newest album "Walking on the Earth."

It was an amazing rush to hear the opening line of the song on the show! Morning Becomes Eclectic is also spinning "Keep on Keepin’ On." Stay tuned for more KCRW news to come!

-From L.A. Acoustic Meetup Review by Bre Goldsmith

Come see Chris Pierce at Viper Room!

Here's why....

When Chris Pierce leans into the mic and sings the opening line of a song, one feels sorry for anyone who is not in the room at that moment. His vocal styling, guitar playing and harmonica are electrifying. They resurrect and honor some of the great soul artists of decades past but with a very modern twist. At times, Chris will hold a note so long that one wonders if he will ever ever inhale- when he does though, beware: there are astounding things to come.

Additionally, Chris is likely one of the most personable and passionately-spoken entertainers on the music scene today; a short conversation will be filled with positive words of gratitude- for his audience, the craft itself and the endless beauty in the world that is just waiting to be captured. If he could thank each audience member with a hug and still make it out before the club closes, he probably would. All this to a performer who has played to crowds of 20,000 and shared the stage with everyone from Macy Gray to Al Green, Seal and Ben Harper.

When Chris does grace a local stage, such as Viper Room, consider it a privilege to see such an accomplished artist and a truly great man.

Review by Bre Goldsmith

Check Chris Pierce out online at www.myspace.com/chrispierce or at www.chrispierce.com