Hobbies, Talents, Fun & Interests

Music… Food for One's Soul

Chris’s musical talents and love for music were heavily influenced by his older brother Dave. Dave also a musician, performed in a rock band in the late sixties in the Lansing, Michigan area. The band rehearsed in their parents home, and during breaks or after the band would finish for the evening, Chris found his opportunity to “sneak” onto the drums. Within a short period of time Chris had learned to play to all of the songs the band was playing and at an upcoming concert event, Dave invited Chris to sit in with the band for one set. It was Chris’s debut on stage, and at the tender age of 8, Chris played and sang to some of the favorite songs from the   “ 60’s “ era.

It was that influence that set a pattern for the love of music that Chris would share with many people in his life. Chris continued playing the drums, but after coaxing his mother into purchasing a used electric guitar, made the switch to guitar and learned to play through lessons from his brother and by watching him perform. In his high school years Chris switched again to the blues harp ( harmonica ) and within 3 months nearly won a talent contest playing in a duo with a guitarist earning the runner up spot. Shortly after the contest he began performing with a band called Magnotta, a local blues and boogie band. Playing Mississippi delta blues along with rock & roll by Chuck Berry, rock music by J Giels and other popular bands at the time, Chris became an accomplished performer singing and playing at all the bands venues. ( To date, Chris has learned all musical instruments by ear and still is unable to read music) . His last appearance on stage was in the late 1980's at the Green Door Lounge in Lansing. It was after his brother coaxed him to sit in and play the harp with one of Michigan's most popular blues bands " The Uptown Band ".

Chris’s musical talents were also passed on to his children Lin and Natalia. Lin who still loves music played the trombone in junior high school, and Natalia is an accomplished flute player and a former member of the high school symphonic band. She also has won several Statewide awards for her solo and ensemble performances in State wide competition over the years with several perfect scores given by the judges.

Chris’s musical tastes still favor R & B, soul and blues / boogie with his all time favorite being Motown, but he has become more refined in adult hood and enjoys listening to a wide variety of music including Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and even occasional Celtic music. He still enjoys his “ alone time “ in his music room listening to music. He recently sold his prized guitar a Gibson ES 135 and is no longer able to play music or compose any songs. One of his strokes left his brain impaired to the point where the left and right sides of the brain no longer worked together in unison. This made it extremely hard for his fingers to fret and strum a guitar at the same time. It was a tragic loss for Chris and his dream of learning the piano as well as the fiddle, recorder &  the bag pipes along with learning to read music will remain unobtainable.

His musical needs are now met through his wife Ally. She is an accomplished classical guitarist as well as being able to play the piano, clarinet and sax. Ally's love for music matches Chris' love and together they enjoy their passion listening to music of all varieties . 

Theatre

Chris found a love for theatre productions and especially enjoyed opera's. Verdi Opera's, one of his favorites, has provided Chris with a new found appreciation for theatre through his viewing of La Traviata and Tosca. His first stage production was seen at the Pantage's theatre in Toronto where he witnessed " The Phantom of the Opera " for the first time. Chris later said   " I was moved. I felt a direct connection to the stage for some strange reason and could feel the emotions flowing from the actors and actresses. It really left me spell bound." Chris later went on to see The Phantom at the Wharton center in East Lansing, MI but the highlight of his attendances took place when a friend and former client took him to see the Phantom on Broadway. His client also arranged for him to see the original production of the Phantom in London. " I was blown away by Her Majesty's Theatre. My client who does work on the sets of the Phantom arranged special tickets for me and we had excellent seats. I really felt special that night and I will never forget the performance. It was a night of magic and one I will carry with me forever." Along the way Chris and Ingrid have seen Miss Saigon and TOSCA and have seen productions as far away as the Sydney Opera House.

It helps to be married to a former actress who performed in dozens of stage productions from Cosi to LipStick Dreams. Ally, an accomplished performer, director and amazing singer has starred in everything from comedies to musicals in her hometown of Sydney, Australia. Her love for the art's as well as her background in theatre has blended well with Chris' new found love for stage productions. Together they still support the arts in the City of Bristol.

Favorite Productions Attended: The Phantom of the Opera ( Toronto’s Pantages Theatre- Broadway, NYC - Her Majesty's Theatre, London, England  ), TOSCA,       ( Sydney Opera House, Australia) La Traviata, & Miss Saigon ( Wharton Center, East Lansing, Michigan ).

Hobbies

Woodworking, home remodeling, antique collecting, reading and the internet.

Chris has an extensive woodworking shop and enjoys making selected shelves of his own design, wood ornaments and general woodworking / craft items. His next big project will be learning the art of furniture making. Chris also enjoys going to antique shows, and collects antiques as a pass time.

 

Fun

For fun, and as an interest, Chris loves spending time reading and researching the latest in aviation technology as well as older aircraft. He has completed ground school pilot studies and has flown several single engine aircraft including his last adventure, piloting a former Australian Royal Air Force 1941 " Tiger Moth ". His next dream, to co-pilot a twin engine and business jet.