Chris Jesse’s musical journey is a book of many chapters. There was the band Same Soul, a group called 9 Mile Reach, and several other line-ups and iterations along the way. When I did a Charlie’s Beat on Chris 6 years ago, he was on a bit of a hiatus at the time, taking a break and regrouping for his next endeavor. Well, it’s safe to say he’s back on the scene, with a lot of irons in the fire, and it’s good to hear his voice again!
“I was actually kind of out of music for quite a while,” explains Chris. “I’d gotten maybe a little bit frustrated with trying to build an audience for original music. So I was just working hard, living my life. And then Robert Reynolds shows up. Literally, shows up at my door and says, Hey, I heard you were pretty good, I want to hear you play. It was wild.”
For those who need a quick refresher, Robert Reynolds is a founding member of the band The Mavericks, and a Grammy winner. After touring with the band for decades he met a woman from Madison, married, and settled here. He has been gracing our stages with various band configurations, and as a backing player in many more bands. As I write this column, Robert is back out on the road touring with the Mavericks for a short summer run. Madison is EXTREMELY fortunate to have a musician of his talent, generosity and experience in our community. Anyway, back to Chris’s story.
“Jane Vonderheide mentioned me to Robert, said I was a good player but I’d been out of the scene awhile. So Robert took it on himself to seek me out, show up at my house, and invite himself in. He had me play a bit for him, we talked a good while, and he inspired me to get back out there.
“As it happened Robert was putting together a big show at Mad Paddle as a birthday celebration for another Nashville player who lives here now, Jerry Navarro. He asked me to do a little opening act for that show. I gotta tell you, I was as nervous before that show as I’ve ever been! You’d think I’d never been up on a stage before. But it had been awhile, and I really needed that push to get me back out there again. I’m deeply grateful to Robert for that encouragement.
“I have so much going on now, it’s been very rewarding. I’m a member of the Madison Music Movement board, which is exciting. I think that organization can really keep moving the ball forward. I’ve done a Live Lunch show, I’m running the open mic at Mad Paddle every other Thursday. I help out with the New Noise songwriter showcase at The Drake every month. And I’m starting to book music again. I’m putting together a band with Dave Tuttle, Brook Reindollar, and Erik Brunner. I’m also doing some gigs with Jimmy Davis and Joel Storm.
“It’s been very rewarding and gratifying getting back into music. I’ve been rekindling friendships and building new relationships. It’s taught me to really view the present as a gift, to savor each moment. Even though I was out of music for quite awhile, I’m discovering that it’s never too late. The friends you make through music are friends for life.
“Another person I want to mention as instrumental in this latest musical and life journey is Joel Storm. They guy has the most amazing vision for things he wants to accomplish, and he’s been an inspiration to me. It’s so good to live in a town with so many musicians and so many opportunities to perform and explore new things. It’s good to be back!”
HOT TIP OF THE WEEK
I just saw the list of musicians for the upcoming “Play Music on the Porch Day” and I couldn’t be more excited. What started as a grassroots sort of jam session with local friends taking turns up on the porches has evolved into a powerhouse of regional talent playing on 18 porches all over downtown. There’s still plenty of local flavor, but I’m also seeing acts from Louisville, Cincy, Bloomington, and beyond. In just a few short years this event has grown to be one of the most anticipated and beloved Madison musical happenings. I urge everyone to get out on August 29th and visit a porch or two (or 10.) You’ll find complete info on the Kindred Folk Society Facebook page. Take my word on this one, people, it will put a smile on your face!
Leave a Reply