Saskatchewan country artist Chris Henderson says 2015 “will be a big year” for him, personally and professionally.
“I'll be getting married to my fiancee (teacher Janelle Howlett), in September,” says Henderson. “And I'll be working on my third recording project, writing for that and hopefully, for some other artists in Nashville; as well as touring and attending the CCMAs (Canadian Country Music Awards) in Halifax.”
Henderson's second release, 'My Turn', has received critical acclaim, landing on the 2014 top ten lists of Canadian music critics, and he is justifiably proud of the recording, and working hard on new music.
“I did lots of writing last fall for my third project,” says Henderson. “I'm planning on heading into the studio in late February or early March to record. I'm hoping to get a single out by summertime.”
“I've done a lot of writing during the past few months,” he continues. “I've been writing with Troy Kokol, who is a really, really talented guy; as well as (country artists) Jonie Delaurier and Jake Matthews. I've also been working with Russ Froom, who has worked with Jann Arden for about 20 years, and Willy Mack.”
“The song 'Don't Miss Your Kiss Goodbye' from the 'My Turn' album was named Song of the Year at the 2014 SCMA (Saskatchewan Country Music Awards),” adds Henderson. Willy Mack, Troy Kokol and I wrote it and it was our first song to break the top 50.”
“In Nashville, I'll continue writing and I'll also be co-writing with some writers who have written for Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Lee Bryce, and Dierks Bentley. Then I'll hit the studio.”
The former high school English teacher taught “for about a semester” at Gordon F. Kells High School in Carlyle, while living in Manor, then moved to Regina to pursue a full-time music career.
“I've been playing in bands since I was 16,” says Henderson. “When I was about 21 or 22, I started taking it seriously. I'm 30 now, and in the last year or so, it seems like I'm the new guy, but I've been working at this a long time.”
“You never know how it's going to turn out, so you really do it for the love of music.”
Henderson says musically, his priority is to stay true to himself as an artist.
“I'm trying to define a sound going forward,” he says. “I grew up playing in rock and punk bands. When I got older, I got into more country, listening to Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. And of course, rock influences are big, too, especially when you grow up on the prairies.”
When he's not creating his own sound, Henderson listens to “A lot of Canadian guys lately: Blake Berglund, George Canyon and Bobby Wills. I caught Blake's show at Kenosee this year, after my show at the Dickens Festival in Carlyle. I've also been listening to Dierks (Bentley) and Chris Stapleton.”
Comfortable working on both sides of the 49th parallel, Henderson's first project, 'Follow the Signs' (2008) was recorded in Nashville, while its award-winning follow-up, 'My Turn' was “Ninety-five percent Saskatchewan-produced,” says Henderson.
“'My Turn' was a real Saskatchewan product,” he says. “It broke into the Top 50. It was recorded here and it shows we can do it here, too.”
Born and raised in Estevan, Henderson says the support of area fans is both important to and appreciated by him.
“I'm always excited to return to the southeast corner of the province and bumping into people who know me and my family. They're great when it comes to keeping up with what I'm doing.”
“This year, I've got lots of things planned musically,” adds Henderson. “So stay tuned.”
To keep up with Chris Henderson, check out ChrisHenderson.com, Chris Henderson Band on Facebook or @Hendersonmusic on Twitter.
