Chris DeVido

Chris DeVido plays acoustic rock at last free summer concert
Written by Liz Segrist
Friday, 03 September 2010 20:55

Chris DeVido, a singer and songwriter from Anderson, performed for Mauldin residents Friday night at the Mauldin Cultural Center for the final free summer concert.

Barbara and Ken Massone, both Mauldin residents, came to every concert this summer.

“It’s a free concert, good weather and excellent bands,” Ken Massone said. “Of course I enjoy them.”

DeVido’s music, a mixture of folk and acoustic rock, was molded from both his childhood and love for artists like Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. His inspiration for songwriting comes from past relationships, political views or personal experiences, both the good and the bad.

DeVido said he strives to use his music as a way to connect with people, but said he’s “just a guy taking music out into the world and bringing it to people.”

Mayor Don Godbey said the public showing isn’t huge yet, but it’s definitely a sign of potential for the future.

Diana Colon, a Mauldin resident, said she loves coming out to the concerts for the different types of music and will definitely come again next year.

George McLeer, Mauldin Cultural Center executive director, said he has faith these concerts will only continue to grow in popularity.

“We’ve tried a lot of things and figured out what works and what doesn’t for next summer,” McLeer said.

“If there was some signage out front that told people about a free concert, I think people would be here all the time,” Barbara Massone said. “I just don’t think enough people know about it yet.”

Click here to read about Chris DeVido or check out his Web site

- www.gomauldin.com

Growing up in the 1970’s, Chris DeVido’s New Jersey home was always filled with the sounds of bluegrass from his dad and family friends playing their guitars in his living room. This experimental and eye-opening time period left its mark on him.

DeVido, who will be performing Friday night at the Mauldin Cultural Center, moved to Anderson about 30 years ago. He began song writing in high school, a sort of ever-evolving diary for “the good times and the bad times because it’s all part of life.”

“The good thing about being a song writer is you can write through all of it,” DeVido said. “It’s an outlet and an outrage.”

At age 40, DeVido decided to end his place in the workforce after being Guitar Cabin owner for seven years. His desire and drive for pursuing music is stronger, he said.

His genre falls somewhere between rock and country, but he said it’s more folk or acoustic rock, inspired by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Ben Harper and Bob Dylan.

DeVido often likes to push the envelope with his deeply emotional ballads of broken hearts, semi-controversial lyrics of a friend’s friend lost from cocaine or an anger of apathy in the community.

Then his music will unexpectedly change the mood with an upbeat semi-folk, acoustic rock tune. He doesn’t see himself as an entertainer, just a guy taking music out into the world and bringing it to people.

He said more than anything he just wants to make a connection.

“I try to write songs that appeal to people’s hearts and what’s important to everyone,” DeVido said. “We can totally disagree about politics, but at the same time we’re totally probably going to agree on other things at home.”

American Soldier, one of DeVido’s more popular ballads, is one of those sought for connections with his fans thus far because “people are really affected by it,” he said.

DeVido said he doesn’t plan to write songs, the inspiration just comes to him.

“So much of that is influenced by what you see and what you hear,” DeVido said. “You totally have to look within yourself for things, but also hear what’s going on in the world and apply it not only to yourself, but how you can help benefit the community as well.”

Devido will perform both originals and covers Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the last free concert of the summer concert series at the Mauldin Cultural Center. Bring coolers, lawn chairs and blankets. No alcohol.

Check out more about DeVido.

- www.gomauldin.com

Chris DeVido is never one to mask his lyrics. If the socially conscious musician wants to write a song about how much it sucks to be a soldier in a war, he isn't going to make things ambiguous. In fact, he'll probably go ahead and name it "American Soldier." That's just what he did with one of his older songs, but to see what the guitar slinger is concerned with at the present time you'll have to see him live, where his to-the-point lyrics match his stripped down presentation. - Industry mega-scene magazine by Michael Staton Managing/Editor

Outdoor concert will be at Corbett McGee's
By Jake Grove

A local band has made it's way to national distribution and on Friday, Andersonians will have a chance to catch them with a live show and CD kickoff party.
The Chris DeVido Band will perform at Corbett McGee's Irish Pub to promote their new album "Day Glo Nova." "Nova" is an original 13-track disc. All songs were written by Chris DeVido and exhibit the band's blend of folk, rock and pop stylings with distinctive Southern flavor added in for zest.

The new CD is being released independently by Wonderland Records and Five Forks Publishing.

The CD release party Friday is an outdoor concert at Corbett McGee's. The doors open at 6:30pm and the the band will take the stage at 9pm. Tickets are $8.50 and can be purchased at Corbett McGee's, 116 W. Orr St.

CD's will be available at the show for $10. They will also be sold at Rainbow Records, Horizon Records in Greenville and Scum Records in Easley for the same price.

For ticket information, call the pub at (864) 261-6401. The party is being sponsored by Coors Light, and there will be a beer truck, open bar, and seafood buffet. - Anderson Independent Mail