Music

Original Music

My songwriting can broadly be classified as 'acoustic singer-songwriter', with influences from the English and American folk traditions. The tapestry of genres and artists that I have absorbed into my musical sensibility is complex, coloured and hard to pin down, but there are a handful of musicians who have clearly left their mark. These include James Taylor, Dylan, Richard Thompson, Paul Simon, Mark Knopfler, Ralph McTell and Leonard Cohen.

The themes I write under cover some social and political ground as well as the age-old chestnuts of life, love and loss. Amongst what hopefully feel like realistic and relatable observations and accounts, I do try generally to leave room for hope and optimism. As Leonard Cohen so perfectly put it: "There is a crack, a crack in everything; that's how the light gets in." That's also reflected in my debut album, which I titled 'Keep the Future Bright'.

Some of my songwriting also draws on my local Black Country heritage, including stories of my family and local characters. My second studio album, The Darkness and the Dust, touches on my descent from Black Country coal miners, among other themes.

The album title track, "The Darkness and the Dust", filmed in Grand Junction, Colorado, for NPR Live Sessions:

Here is the recording up on NPR Live Sessions.

Another original, 'Hard Times':

To find out more about the album, including ways to listen, visit the album page.

"He's got a proper voice"

– Pete Boddis, Singer-Songwriter

Live Performances

I perform live at venues across the UK and tour in the USA. I play a mixture of my own material and traditional and contemporary folk songs. In full sets, I often play songs on the mandolin and dobro as well as the guitar.

My sets include plenty of choruses for audiences to join in with during the second half!

"He had the audience in the palm of his hand with his likeable, engaging, personality.

It was very refreshing to be so well entertained by a very talented young man who performed not only well-known songs but also self-penned, meaningful songs.

Christopher encouraged us to join in with the choruses and we loved it... He left us wanting more."

– Denis Billau – Brewood Acoustic Music Club

A short video by means of overview:

"He is awesome"

– Michael Litten (The Last DJ), Ride The Vibe podcast

Tour

Find out where you can see me on my tour page.

If you represent a venue or are hiring for a private function and would like to discuss a booking, please get in touch.

"Simply superb. His stage-show was polished, well presented and flawless.

His voice was smooth and crystal clear which complimented his excellent guitar skills seamlessly.

His original material was both well-written and fascinating and inserting the occasional cover, rounded off the whole act perfectly."

– Derry Jones, The Woodman Folk Club

Americana

I also write some songs that are more clearly under the remit of Americana music. My influences here include classic country artists like Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, great American songwriters like John Prine and Dylan, and contemporary trailblazers like Chris Stapleton.

While I don't consider myself an Americana recording artist, I do enjoy the songwriting side and my hope is that some of these songs can be published and then recorded by others in Nashville and beyond.

I have recorded an EP of three country songs at Fantastic Rain Studio, to be released in 2023.