Chase Tanner

Chase was born and raised in Lynchburg, VA. His musical influences started early as a child listening to his father play Eric Clapton and The Allman Brothers on the home stereo. At the age of 12 Chase acquired his first guitar and never looked back. Instead of kickball in the street, Chase would sit by the stereo and pick out Stevie Ray licks for hours on end. Homework gave way to guitar sessions as playing the blues was the only thing that kept his interest. By 18 Chase was sitting in with some of the hottest Blues acts to roll across Virginia soil. Underage and un-intimidated Chase would wow audiences with rousing blues sets and improvisational jams; impressive at least, for a 18 year old who had to be ushered into the smokey blues clubs with parental supervision. Just out of school, Chase took interest in the design industry and made the impossible decision to put the guitar down and pursue a career in the field. Over the next 4 years Chase took a break from actively playing music to concentrate on his career. While things went well, something still seemed to be missing from his life. In late 2005, on a whim, Chase dusted off his guitar and headed out to a local blues jam. Chase spent the next several months playing open blues jams and honing his skills as a vocalist, earning him a spot on the stage of countless venues with several regional acts. Now 24, Chase is playing across the region with his band South29. A band whos talent and unsurpassed determination is looking to take them places in a big way. Often described as having a raw in-your-face sound with a playing style that gives a nod to many of the guitar greats including Hendrix and Vaughan, Chase has emerged into the spotlight, and earned the right to be considered one of the true up and coming blues guitarist in America.
"Playing the blues to me....isn't about strapping on a guitar and playing as many notes as I can. Its about feeling it....as an extension of myself. You put your soul into it, deep down from inside where all the pain and hurt hides. I hope that's something that these people can relate to. Playing the blues or livin the blues. Its all in how ya deal with it. This is my way, playing from the heart." –Chase