Chris, 
 
I imagine that you had the itch to be a performing singer/ songwriter  from early in your life, but what was it that convinced you to actually do it? I recently suffered a setback in my own endeavors to take my  music somewhere (and let it take me along), as you surely have before.  It's definitely discour-aging and at the same time, I'm surrounded by  all these other opportunities for careers. How did you actually rationalize to yourself that you were going to really commit to the  music and turn your back on more conventional and secure means of  self-sustenance? Was it just a one-time, no looking back kind of 
decision, or have there been times along the way that you considered  getting off the bus and maybe selling office furniture?- Oliver

Oliver,

I had a couple major defining things happen to jump start me into making music my profession...

The first was I was essentially being asked to shape up or ship out at my old job at a hotel in Boston. I was in a disciplinary meeting with two bosses volleying back and forth about how I was better than my work performance implied, and sudddenly I heard voices in my head saying "You don't have to be here"...and I took their bait and quit.

Also, I had a phone call with my father a day or two before and he asked if I was still writing songs all the time. I said "Yes." and he strongly urged me to try to do something with music.

In truth, I don't know that I've ever renegotiated my career in my head, because in truth, I love it completely, and although some years have been better than others, I have not been without my economic needs fulfilled at any point in time.

It was a risk however, and I can't underestimate that. And it continues to be. I left a secure job to make $50 a gig with no security anywhere in sight at that time. But it's the most rewarding thing I've ever done as well.

CT

Read the ASK CHRIS archives