- Chris Christian
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Chris Christian Birth name Lon Christian Smith Born February 7, 1955 Origin Abilene, Texas, USA Genres Pop, Christian Occupations singer-songwriter,
record producer
record label executiveChris Christian (born Lon Christian Smith on February 7, 1955 in Abilene, Texas) is a songwriter, record producer, and a record label executive. His songs have been recorded by Elvis Presley, Olivia Newton-John, Natalie Cole, Sheena Easton, The Pointer Sisters, Al Jarreau, The Carpenters, Amy Grant, Patti Austin, Dionne Warwick, Amy Grant, The Imperials, B.J. Thomas, B W Stevenson, Marilyn McCoo, Dan Peek (America), Cheryl Ladd, Jane Oliver, Sandi Patty, Ali Lohan, and others.
As a member of the trio of Cotton, Lloyd & Christian in the early 1970s, he enjoyed two top 40 Billboard Hits on 20th Century Records. Christian also played guitar in the Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, and Wayne Newton, band.
As a record producer, he is best known for starting Amy Grant's music career by signing her at age 16 to his production company and playing a demo of one of her songs over the telephone to Myrrh Records executive Stan Moser. Christian produced her first album and acted as executive producer for her second, handing over production duties to his college friend Brown Bannister. His company continued to publish and own her songs until 1997 when he sold them to Gaylord Entertainment.
He has produced for The Pointer Sisters, Patti Austin, Al Jarreau, Natalie Cole, Ali Lohan, Dallas Cowboys, B J Thomas, Debby Boone, B W Stevenson,and over 100 more.
As the first Artist signed to Boardwalk Records Neil Bogart, with Bob Gaudio (Four Seasons) producing, he recorded "I Want You, I Need You," which peaked at #37 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1981 and reached the Top 10 on Billboards A/C Chart. Cheryl Ladd sings back-up on the song along with many other Artists on the album including Christopher Cross, Nigel Olsen, Frankie Vallie, Dann Huff, Tommy Funderburk, Bill Champlin, Amy Holland, and Robbie Patton. Robert Kardashin (the Kardashins father) was his manager and was responsible for Chris signing with Boardwalk Records.
Christian has produced albums that have been nominated for nine and won four Grammy Awards. He has also been nominated for seven Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, winning five. He has also released sixteen other albums.
In 1981, Chris launched his own label Home Sweet Home Records. On that label he produced albums for White Heart, Steve Archer, Mark Heard, Dan Peek, B J Thomas, Steve Archer, Rick Riso, Luke Garrett, Marilyn McCoo and others.
In 1992 he founded HSH Educational Media and Executive Produced and wrote the music for the popular Children's series "Gerbert" which aired on PBS and what is now ABC Family Channel for 10 years. "Gerbert" won an ACE award for best Pre-School Show.
Chris purchased The Studios at Las Colinas in 1992 with partner Steve Jarchow, buying Jarchows interest in 1993 and purchasing the acreage around the Studios with partner Ross Perot Jr. They sold their interest in the Studio and most of the remaining property in 2003.
Christian was CEO of World Digital Media Group and YMC Records, a joint venture by Radio Shack, Dish Network, Sirius Radio, and CC Entertainment until May 2007.
He was inducted into the West Texas Music Hall of Fame. [1] He was also inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2007.[2]
He recently became an owner of a WNBA team.
References
- "YMC Records To Make First Appearance At The National Association of Recording Merchandisers Convention" at TheFreeLibrary.com [3]
- "WDMG Gets Sirius With Universal Music Enterprises" on Satellite Standard Group's Blogspot page [4]
- "Dallas Exec Matches Up Retailers and Big-Time Recording Artists" column by Cheryl Hall from The Dallas Morning News [5]
- "WDMG launches YMCTV Independent Music channel" http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2007_May_9/ai_n27232374/
External links
Categories:- 1955 births
- American record producers
- American performers of Christian music
- People from Dallas, Texas
- People from Abilene, Texas
- Songwriters from Texas
- American male singers
- Living people
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