Kris Dale

Kris began playing piano at age three on the urgings of his mother. After a few successful recitals dressed as superman, he knew performance was where he wanted to be. Switching to trombone in second grade after hearing the "Pink Panther Theme" exposed him to jazz and therefore the seedier side of music.

This path (and the desire to meet women) eventually led to picking up the bass in high school and playing heavy metal and hippie rock. With no other career options available, Kris attended the University of Miami's School of Music in 1993 and graduated in '97 with a degree in studio music/jazz performance. Upon returning to his home town of Atlanta, Kris joined the Lost Continentals and toured the U.S. playing swing. Since then he has played with Kingsized, the Johnny Knox Trio, Greasepaint and many other Atlanta favorites.

Highlights of the last few years included opening for Tenacious D on a leg of their tour and backing the one and only Rudy Ray Moore at the Echo Lounge. 2 European Tours filled out 2010. 5 years with Col. Bruce Hampton and the Quark Alliance suitably warped Kris' fragile mind and prepared him for the onslaught to come. Currently with the Mosier Brothers, Kris also can be seen with Bernadette Seacrest and her Provocateurs, Tongo-Hiti, Caroline Herring, Geoff Achison, the Matt Wauchope Trio and Nick Longo among others.

The pedal steel called to Kris through a creamy yet twangy fog one night and has become part of his musical life with Tongo-hiti, Atlanta's best Polynesian pop supergroup -- a title hard won to be sure. In addition to all of his live gigging, Kris has recorded with Neko Case, Daath, Adult Swim's "Squidbillies" and more. Kris continues to build his resume as he travels the nation's highways, spreading low end love to the masses.