Biography
The last song Phil Christie wrote for his new CD became its title and is the one that most defined it. Rearview Mirror with its images of “looking back and reflecting on love lost, love won, dreams unfulfilled and those dreams that may still yet come true” are a unifying thread throughout the recording’s ten tracks. The songs’ rich tones and storylines are enhanced by Doug Lancio’s (Patty Griffin, Gretchen Peters) atmospheric guitar style, Barry Walsh’s (Gretchen Peters) piano work and Bryn Davies on cello giving it touches of folk, Americana, country and rock.
Since the June release of Rearview Mirror, the disc has been blazing a trail at folk / Americana / NPR radio worldwide, with over 100+ stations playlisted to date including XM Satellite Radio’s folk channel The Village. Christie has also generated superlative reviews in the media…“Some of the most well crafted songs this writer has heard since the hey day of the Brill building - B. Noel Barr, RANDOM LENGTHS” … “This artist is one to watch RATING: (5 out of 5 Stars) - INTERNATIONAL ACOUSTIC MUSIC AWARDS”…“It's not often you hear a voice as strong as Phil Christie's. Though he keeps it well leashed, the potency and muscularity reverberate in every verse he sings” - Mark S. Tucker, FOLK & ACOUSTIC MUSIC EXCHANGE”…. “Christie’s tales of every day life are sure to ring a bell when you are looking for some meaty songwriting you can get into” - Chris Spector MIDWEST RECORD.”
A native of Canada, Christie’s “Montreal” appropriately follows the CD’s title track. He was influenced by one of the country's most respected singer/songwriters Gordon Lightfoot, in addition to such notable artists as Bruce Springsteen, Neil Diamond and John Denver and scored his own radio success in the ‘80s before making his way to Los Angeles in 1995. An Indian remembrance ceremony for Christie’s wife’s late grandmother Bettymae Swan led to the song “Echo” about the imprint someone leaves behind and tells the love story of Jesse Rudolph and Swan. Christie comments, “The ceremony stayed with me for a long time as I had never attended a memorial so moving, so bound to the earth in its allusions to the spirit and nature.” “Broken Angel” was written for Wendy Soderman who, with her husband Kris, built the highly successful Ideal School in Florida for their twin boys, one who has cerebral palsy. Wanting them to live normal lives and not finding a school that greeted them both with open arms, the song expresses Wendy’s story and the day to day life of what a caregiver has to face “while trying to find hope against all odds.” “One World” and “Random Acts of Kindness” are the songwriter’s heartfelt statements about the state of the world. “Me and My Guitar” brings the CD full circle about how “three chords and a simple melody opened up my heart and set me free.”
Phil Christie’s Summerstown CD received airplay on over 200 country and folk stations worldwide including, Japan, Spain, Australia, and France and earned such critical praise as: “Exceptional…it’s one I wished I’d produced” – Milt Okun; “Cream rises to the top and so has Christie.” – Acoustic Scene Magazine. The track “Skeleton,” written for the Jacks or Better soundtrack has also been a semi-regular feature of KLOS FM radio personality Jim Ladd’s Headsets and the song “Mother’s Day” was a 2005 Billboard World Song Contest finalist.
Prior to recording Summerstown Christie played a tribute show to the late John Denver where he met producer Milt Okun, who later referred him to the music supervisor for the CBS TV movie biopic about Denver’s life. Christie auditioned and was one of the singers selected to recreate and record the Chad Mitchell Trio tracks featured in the film.
Christie is a regular performer at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, San Diego Folk Heritage, Kerrville Folk Festival ( New Folk Finalist 2002) and South West Florida Folk Festival (Folk Finalist 2004).
Phil Christie’s CDs are available at Amazon, CDBaby and iTunes.
www.philchristie.com
www.myspace.com/philchristie
www.youtube.com/philchristievideos
Publicity – Teresa Conboy
(323) 660-7748
teresaconboypr@yahoo.com
Radio - Bill Wence Promotions
Nolensville, TN. 37135
800-584-5524
billwencepro@earthlink.net
Instrumentation
Phil Christie - Lead Vocals, Acoustic 6 & 12 String Guitars, Electric Guitar
Michael Valentine - Acoustic Guitar
John Classick - Upright & Electric Bass
Christopher Allis - Drums & Percussion, Vocals
Bary Ryan - Acoustic & Electric Guitars
Mark Nilan - Keyboards
Performs as a solo acoustic act, acoustic duo, or full band depending upon concert venue requirements.
Discography
Beginnings - 1999 (Includes Canadian radio singles "Anytime Now", "I Can't Hold On" , and "Hurricane")
Summerstown - 2002 (Lauret River Music)
Rearview Mirror - 2008 (Lauret River Music)
Links
| http://www.philchristie.com |