Chris Milam profile picture

Chris Milam

www.chrismilam.com

About Me

"One of the South's most promising songwriters..." --Vanderbilt Hustler
"His skill as a songwriter surpasses many artists twice his age." --Hardcore-Troubadours.com
"A neo-folk standout." --Chattanooga Times Free Press
"Milam's creative melodies and smart lyrics won't keep him underground for long." --CDBaby.com
Since the beginning of his career, Chris Milam has set out to turn the music world upside-downliterally. As a kid with southpaw inclinations, Chris flipped over his first guitar and taught himself to play upside-down. In the years that followed, he also became a proficient bass player, pianist, and vocalist, combining the merits of formal instruction with the excitement of untraditional technique.
In this way, Chris's development as an artist and creative force is a result of determination and good fortune. Born in Virginia, raised in Memphis, and trained in Nashville, Chris has been lucky enough to have spent most of his life in some of American music's true Meccas. In the spring of 2005, Chris recorded his debut album, Leaving Tennessee, combining the blues, country, and rock influences of his youth to create a sound all his own. Almost immediately after its release, the title track "Leaving Tennessee" was featured on a label compilation alongside the Greencards and Jeff Black. Chris's single went on to generate airplay on at least a dozen radio stations across the Southeast. Soon after, a copy of Leaving Tennessee fell into the hands of a Memphis DJ, who featured "Whenever It Rains" in his new music segment. This second single drew a buzz quickly, and "Whenever It Rains" stayed on regular rotation, enjoying more requests than its nightly competition (which included 3 Doors Down and No Doubt). Constant gigging around Nashville earned Chris an increasing fanbase, as did the growing number of critics lauding his songwriting ability at such a young age. Comparisons to songwriting masters Ben Folds, Elliot Smith, Ryan Adams, and even Bob Dylan abounded, designating Chris's sound as both unique and classic, fresh yet oddly familiar.
Riding this wave of momentum, Chris spent six weeks in the spring of 2006 on the road, gigging everywhere from the Florida coast to central Oklahoma. After playing to full houses across the Southeast, he returned to Nashville to find that his fanbase was larger than ever--it's not often a solo acoustic performer fills major venues on a Monday night! Fans are already hyping his next album based on the live performances of his new material: lyrically-intensive, amazingly sharp folk tunes that recall both early Bob Dylan and late Steve Earle. Chris is also writing new, more rock-oriented songs with his Nashville band, and sees all his new material forming a two-sided album, juxtaposing stripped-down folk and all-out Southern rock.
If you ask friends, fans, and critics alike, they'll tell you multiple reasons for his success. His inventive language and memorable verse mark him as one of his generations most promising lyricists. His ear for melody makes him one of modern rock's most pop-savvy songwriters. And his knack for sonic alchemy--the seamless integration of his most disparate influences--shows that, with each new song and album, Chris's music will continue to evolve. But if you ask Chris himself, he'll tell you a different, more typically self-effacing story: "I really dont know, but it's flattering. I'd like to think that kids my age are finding something in the lyrics to relate to, or maybe there's something in the melody that captures an emotion. Really, they're just coming out to see the kid who plays upside-down." If his career thus far is any indication, as long as Chris stays committed to turning the music world on its head, hell continue to have an eager audience.
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Chris Milam Offical Site!
Buy Chris's CD!

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 1/14/2005
Band Website: chrismilam.com
Band Members: Buy Leaving Tennessee: CDBaby |

CHRIS MILAM MERCH!

Chris's AIM Screenname - CMLeavingTN (Shoot him an IM!)

[email protected] OR
[email protected]


Influences:
"Leaving Tennessee" Ringtone!
"Whenever It Rains" Ringtone!
"On a Wire" Ringtone!
"Memphis Queen" Ringtone!
Sounds Like: "Talkin' Divinity Blues"

"A Song I Used to Know" (with Tyler Cain)
Record Label: DIY
Type of Label: None

My Blog

Pre-Sellinng Tickets NOW!

All Nashvillians!The next Chris Milam show (October 22nd at 3rd & Lindsley) and we're currently pre-selling tickets for only $5!  All you have to do is email [email protected] with the sub...
Posted by Chris Milam on Tue, 11 Sep 2007 12:09:00 PST

Introducing....The Street Team!

...THE UNION!I wanted to share some blog-love about the new Street Team I've just introduced.What is the Union?The Union is Chris Milam's Official Street Team.  It is, simply, a group of people w...
Posted by Chris Milam on Thu, 01 Feb 2007 06:45:00 PST

Matchstick Tour!

The Matchstick Tour 2K7 is here! Check out the details below for all the tourdates and info. But first, two very important pieces of business:1) This isn't a comprehensive list of shows. These are t...
Posted by Chris Milam on Mon, 15 Jan 2007 09:45:00 PST

Hardcore Troubadoures Galore

Ello Ello,So the good folks at Hardcore Troubadours invited me over to HCT HQ for a Podcast. Actually, let me back up:Hardcore Troubadours is a site devoted to "filling in the gaps of the country mus...
Posted by Chris Milam on Tue, 29 Aug 2006 10:19:00 PST

Chris Milam Quiz for your profile!

Hey everyone,Someone out there was cool enough to make a quiz: Which Chris Milam Song Are You?  So check it out and take it, post it to your page if you like.  And thanks to the quizmasters ...
Posted by Chris Milam on Wed, 16 Aug 2006 10:55:00 PST

New Songs--Every Monday!

Hey everyone,On the off-chance you visit my homepage before perusing this blog, you might have noticed a new song added.  Starting this week, I'm featuring a new song off my album, Leaving Tennes...
Posted by Chris Milam on Tue, 08 Aug 2006 04:52:00 PST

I need your help!

Hey everyone,The suits and me are thinking about the next tour, and we want you to pick where I play!  We're using Eventful to give the fans and easy outlet to request me in your city--just click...
Posted by Chris Milam on Mon, 31 Jul 2006 11:59:00 PST

New Banners--Street Team Coming Soon!

Friends, Romans, Countrypeople,Next week, I'll unveil my forthcoming Street Team. Until then, I've got a little something for you to chew on. Listed below (in "About Me") are three "banners" that the ...
Posted by Chris Milam on Fri, 28 Jul 2006 12:52:00 PST

New Live Videos!

'Ello to all,If you take a gander at my sidebar, you'll notice a few YouTube videos.  Specifically, those are two YouTube videos of brand new songs I debuted last week at 3rd and Lindsley in Nash...
Posted by Chris Milam on Mon, 22 May 2006 10:00:00 PST

Artist of the Week--Stalking the Muse

All y'all, I've been cheating on this blog for some time now.  Now, I'm cheating on the blog that I've been cheating with.  Check out Stalking the Muse (www.myspace.com/stalkingthemuse) and ...
Posted by Chris Milam on Sun, 02 Apr 2006 12:47:00 PST