Chris Henderson

Taking a swing at success


BY KELLY-ANNE RIESS, FOR THE LEADER-POST MARCH 24, 2011


CHRIS HENDERSON

Tonight -Saturday The Pump Roadhouse

Saskatchewan's "Next Big Thing" is currently working on becoming Canada's next big thing.

Country singer Chris Henderson, who won last year's Next Big Thing contest -sponsored by Big Dog 92.7 and SaskMusic -with the grand prize turning out to be a major stepping stone for his career.

The total prize package was worth $20,000 but the key for Henderson was the opportunity to perform at the Saskatchewan Showcase at the 2010 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards in Edmonton.

"I made a lot of great contacts there," said Henderson.

He also played 40 shows across Saskatchewan, "Which is a lot for an indie artist," he said. "It was a busy summer."

Henderson's shows were packed since country music is huge in Saskatchewan.

"In a town of 400, at least 300 will show up," said Henderson, who began work on a Christmas single after his tour.

The release was called "It Isn't Christmas Without Snow." Henderson based the song on the warming effects of the weather pattern El Nino, which delayed snowfall until after Christmas one year in Saskatchewan.

Henderson also spent last year writing new material for a second album that he plans to start recording this spring and release by the end of 2011.

The new album will be about having fun and growing up.

And some of the songs are cowrites with Saskatchewan talent Kal Hourd and Anthony Kelly along with contacts Henderson made in Nashville.

Henderson said concertgoers at the Pump will have a chance to hear some of this new material, along with songs from his first album Follow The Signs, which was nominated for four Saskatchewan Country Music Awards.

"It's publish or perish," said Henderson about the music industry.

He said the Internet has helped him get music out to new fans from as far away as England.

Four years ago, Henderson also won the 620 CKRM Big Country Talent Search that helped him release his first single "The Difference You Make."

The song's success gave Henderson the opportunity to travel to Nashville to record his first fulllength album.

Henderson grew up in Estevan, playing trumpet in the school band.

Estevan is known for its great band program, where members from Library Voices, a popular Saskatchewan band, also got their start.

"I remember playing coffeehouses with some of those guys as a teenager," said Henderson.

It was Henderson's father, who toured as a musician for 20 years, that inspired him to pick up the guitar and form his first band when he was 17.

By playing in different bands, Henderson learned how to play banjo, bass and drums by necessity. If a band needed to add a certain instrument, he learned how to play it.

Henderson later moved to Regina to complete his education degree.

In addition to being a musician, Henderson works at Ranch Ehrlo where he uses music as an education tool.

Balancing two jobs can be a challenge. There are days when he gets little sleep, playing gigs at night and teaching during the day.

But Henderson said it is worth it, since playing music hardly feels like work.

© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post
- Regina Leader Post

CHRIS HENDERSON WINS “THE NEXT BIG THING”
The Finals show of Big Dog 92-7’s “The Next Big Thing” country talent competition was held last night at The Pump Roadhouse in Regina, with Chris Henderson and FOXX Worthee of Regina and Tim Toutant of Prince Albert aiming to convince an esteemed panel of judges that they should be named “The Next Big Thing”.

Following impressive performances from all three artists, Chris Henderson was declared the winner. Originally from Estevan, Saskatchewan, Chris released his debut full-length album, “Follow the Signs” in the fall of 2008 and has released two singles to Canadian radio. In the same year, Chris was recognized with four Saskatchewan Country Music Award nominations including: Rising Star, Male Artist, Single of the Year and Album of the year.

The Next Big Thing started out with a pool of nearly 30 submissions from all across Saskatchewan, which was narrowed down to nine Semi-Finalists invited to perform in three live shows. Chris, FOXX Worthee, and Tim each won their Semi-Final show to move forward to the Finals.

A large audience was on hand to enjoy the performances. Three music industry professionals formed the judging panel: Ryan Zimmerman, General Manager of Astral Media’s Big Dog 92-7 FM; Steve Coady, Vice President of Radio Promotion for Warner Music Canada, and Marketing Chair for the JUNO Awards; and Ken Taylor, General Manager of the Craven Country Jamboree.

Chris Henderson receives a custom-tailored prize package worth approximately $20,000, including $5000 cash. The group will meet with SaskMusic, producers of the event, to choose from options such as studio time; releasing a single to national country radio; hiring a publicist; album manufacturing; professional photographs; website redesign; an all-expenses paid trip to the 2010 CCMAs; and more. The prize is designed to make a true and lasting impact on their career.

Big Dog 92-7 and SaskMusic congratulate the other six semi-finalists who performed on May 16, May 23 and May 30: Jen Lane, Amanda Jane Duncan, Steve Gibson, Conrad Bigknife, Jasmine Paige, and Stephanie Thomson. Thank you to The Pump, our venue sponsor. 50% of ticket proceeds from all shows went to the Big Dog Kids’ Fund.

For more information on Chris Henderson, please visit www.chrishendersonmusic.com

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For information regarding The Next Big Thing please contact Jen Eisler, SaskMusic, 1-800-347-0676 or jen@saskmusic.org.

Regina’s True Country Big Dog 92-7 launched on February 20, 2008, and is owned and operated by Astral Media Radio, which operates 82 radio stations across Canada. SaskMusic is a member-based, non-profit corporation that stimulates the growth and development of the Saskatchewan music industry through leadership, promotion, training, advocacy and partnership. - Sask Music

FOLLOW THE SIGNS
CHRIS HENDERSON
Chris Henderson Music

Rating 3 1/2 (out of five)

Chris Henderson's debut album, Follow The Signs, is a wonderful collection of songs with a natural flow from beginning to end. Henderson, who is originally from Estevan, won the 2006 CKRM 620 Big Country Talent Show and his talent is evident on this disc.

He has a nice voice and its strength is that Henderson is comfortable with his own voice -- he's not trying to be anyone but himself when he sings. Recorded in Nashville and produced by Sean Hogan, the album sounds great, from the production to the musicianship to the harmonies.

"The Difference You Make," the album's first single, was co-written by Ritchie Macdonald, formerly of Lonestar. The touching chorus speaks of a man's love for his partner:

"Instead of hearing music play/I can feel the words/Instead of watching candles burn/I see them dance/No one else I know can keep my feet right here on Earth/And still sing me to Heaven like you can."


"You Don't Scare Me," the second single, is about a man who won't back down from beautiful but standoffish woman. The disc has a great mix of songs including party songs, honky tonk tunes, rockabilly and ballads.

My personal favourite is "You Can't Cry Your Way Out Of This," a great honky-tonk tune in the vein of traditional country.

If this is what the 24-year-old Henderson can deliver with his first album, I can't wait to hear what he'll come up with on his next disc.
-- Jeff DeDekker

- Regina Leader Post