- Cris Gunther
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Cris Gunther Born July 22, 1975
Beckley, West Virginia, United StatesGenres pop, rock, soul Occupations Singer-songwriter, dancer, actor Instruments Vocals Years active 2002–present Labels Mother Brown Records Website crisgunther.com Cris Gunther is an American pop/rock/soul singer-composer, and actor. He is currently being promoted by Jovem Pan, one of Brazil's most famous, pop-radio station chains.[1]
Contents
History
Gunther was born in Beckley, West Virginia (July 22, 1975), and started his performing career in nightclubs, talent competitions, and singing in a Pentecostal church choir at the age of nine. He also competed as a young gymnast, and won his first and only state-gymnastics competition held in Huntington WV, in 1983.
Gunther's father, Terry Gunther, a professional country/pop/gospel singer and songwriter was the opening act for over a dozen, American Country Music Stars in the 80's & 90's, including, Lone Star, Lorrie Morgan, Billy Crash Craddock, Wade Hayes, Donna Fargo, Gene Watson, and T. Graham Brown, to name just a few. Terry Gunther also performed at The Memorial Service For Miners in Beckley, West Virginia, in April 2010, where President Barack Obama was the keynote speaker.[2] Other notable people from West Virginia are singer/songwriter Bill Withers ("Lean on Me", "Ain't No Sunshine"), celebrity actress Jennifer Garner (Alias, Elektra), Olympic Gold Medal Gymnast Mary Lou Retton (1984), and author/educator Booker T. Washington (1865–1915).
Cris Gunther lived in New York City for fourteen years, where he started his professional career at Marymount Manhattan College (a liberal arts college on the upper east side of Manhattan) as a student of theatre and psychology. Past alumni have included Alexander Skarsgård, actor (Eric Northman, True Blood), Moira Kelly, actress (One Tree Hill, "The Lion King"), and Ivette Sosa, actress/singer (Eden's Crush, Chasing Papi). Gunther's acting credits have included a principle role in The History Channel's 'The Mexican-American War' hosted by Boxing Champion Oscar De La Hoya,[3] an international educational video by publishing giant, McGraw Hill, and several independent films, off-Broadway plays, and music videos. And, it didn't take long before he made his modelling debut in the pages of Italian Vogue in a story called, 'The Discreet Charm Of The Bourgeois' shot by world-renowned, fashion photographer, Steven Meisel.[4]
Gunther soon after rediscovered his passion for music, and spent the next few years writing & recording demos, and training with vocal coach to the stars, Don Lawrence, known for his work with Lady Gaga,[5][6] Bono (U2), Christina Aguilera, and Mick Jagger (The Rolling Stones). And Cris Gunther was even chosen to perform in a Songwriters Hall Of Fame Showcase in NYC (Lady Gaga was also chosen for the same showcase in 2006, before her rise to international stardom) that appeared in the pages of Billboard Magazine (the premier source of music industry news in the U.S.), in 2002.[7] And finally, in 2007, Cris Gunther released his debut, independent album, Fall Into The Open via iTunes, with the participation of producer/writer, Fab Dupont (Shakira,[8] Jennifer Lopez)[9] on the track, FOOLS GOLD, musical legend, Mic Murphy/The System (who scored the American #1 hit 'Don't Disturb This Groove') on the track, BLACK DOLL, Verve Records Artist Lucy Woodward (BMI Songwriter Award Winner for the International Top 5 Hit, "(There's Gotta Be) More to Life") on the tracks, "GOTTA GIVE", "SACRED SEXUALITY", and the Kylie Minogue cover, "Turn It into Love", and, producer/writer, Tim K (Les Nubians, Collette, Esthero, DEDE) who produced nine of the CD's ten tracks.
Cris Gunther currently resides in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. In October 2010, Gunther performed seventeen shows for his debut tour sponsored by Cultura Inglesa,[10] one of Brazil's most prominent English language schools. And, he also began promoting his sophomore project, the on-line only, promotional release, 'Back+Forth (The Demo+Sessions)' at such famed venues as, Palacio das Artes,[11][12][13] Roxy/Josefine, and Patio Savassi, in collaboration with Jovem Pan. Gunther is currently working on his third recording project, ANCHOR & WINGS, produced by 7B (Othoniel Joseph), and is set for a late 2011-2012 release date. Gunther is also currently #3 on Reverbnation's pop charts in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Influences
Cris Gunther's artistic influences are Aristotle, Antoni Gaudi, Salvador Dali, Rumi, Paulo Coelho & Christopher McCandless. Gunther's musical influences are Jeff Buckley, Bjork, Michael & Janet Jackson, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Teena Marie, Pink, Lenny Kravitz, David Bowie, Madonna, and, Maroon 5.
Musical style
A fusion of American pop, rock & soul, with black gospel, dance, and, Brazilian rhythms thrown in for good measure.
Discography
Albums
- Fall Into The Open (2007)
- Back+Forth (The Demo+Sessions) (2010)
References
- ^ "Jovem Pan". Wikipedia PT. http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rede_Jovem_Pan. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
- ^ Travis Crum (2010-04-25). "Obama speaks to miners' families". The Daily Athenaeum. http://www.thedaonline.com/news/obama-speaks-to-miners-families-1.1427350. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
- ^ "The Mexican-American War". IMDB.com. 2006. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0874304/.
- ^ "The Discreet Charm Of The Bourgeois". Italian Vogue. 2004. http://imgur.com/WOLPN.
- ^ "Don Lawrence work with Lady Gaga". ladygaga.wikia.com. 2005. http://www.blenderindia.com/interviews/214438/lady_gaga_bares_all_all_thats_left_post_her_nopants_kink.html. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
- ^ "Don Lawrence work with Lady Gaga". blenderindia.com. http://ladygaga.wikia.com/wiki/Autobiography_from_2005. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
- ^ Deborah Evans Price (2002-08-10). "Songwriters Showcase". Billboard. http://books.google.com.br/books?id=BQwEAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA43-IA6&ots=yTZ2Tq82lk&dq=billboard%20cris%20gunther&pg=PA43-IA6#v=onepage&q=billboard%20cris%20gunther&f=false. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
- ^ "Shakira release official FIFA World Cup Anthem". blenderindia.com. http://www.capetownmagazine.com/2010-world-cup/Freshlyground-and-Shakira-release-official-FIFA-World-Cup-Anthem/121_22_17147. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
- ^ "Producer Fab Dupont". capetownmagazine.com. http://www.uaudio.com/blog/producer-fab-dupont-uad-plug-ins/. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
- ^ "Cultura Inglesa Tour". culturabh.com.br. http://www.culturabh.com.br/site/interna.php?n1=galeria. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
- ^ "Show "Tropical Truth" at Palácio das Artes". www.fcs.mg.gov.br. http://www.fcs.mg.gov.br/agenda/detalhes.aspx?IdAgenda=1082. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
- ^ "Show "Quero ver Irene Rir Outra Vez" at Palácio das Artes". www.fcs.mg.gov.br. http://www.fcs.mg.gov.br/agenda/detalhes.aspx?IdAgenda=1522. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
- ^ "Show "Quero ver Irene Rir Outra Vez" at Palácio das Artes". globominas.globo.com. http://globominas.globo.com/GloboMinas/Entretenimento/0,,MUL1562300-9147,00.html. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
External links
- Cris Gunther's Official Web Site
- Cris Gunther's Official Portuguese Web Site
- Cris Gunther's Official Blog
- Reverbnation Profile
- Facebook Fan Page
- 7b's (Othoniel Joseph) Official Web Site
Categories:- American pop singers
- 1977 births
- Living people
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