Chris Pierce is a singer, songwriter, harmonicist, guitarist, officiant and wine producer born in California. As a young man, he pursued acting and singing in local theater presentations, and appearing on notable television shows such as Kids Incorporated, Big Break, Star Search and Half & Half. At 15 years old Pierce was playing sets in clubs around Los Angeles and had been a repeat guest on the television show Big Break, hosted by Natalie Cole. Still in high school, he began playing gigs with Grammy-nominated rock musician Jon Butcher. At 19 years old he performed on a road tour with Sonia Dada in the U.S., and later continued on to Moscow, Russia. In 2005, Pierce met Seal and joined Seal as his opening act on a world tour. Post Sonia Dada Tour, Pierce came home to Southern California to work on his degree in Jazz studies at USC. Since USC, he has been recording and doing independent road tours playing up to 150 shows a year. He grew up on classic soul, rhythm and blues, jazz, gospel and rock and roll recordings.
Career
He has opened for B.B. King, Seal, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Jill Scott, Aaron Neville, Colbie Caillat, Al Green, Jamie Cullum, Toots & The Maytals, and Robert Cray. In 2017, Chris Pierce co-wrote the song "We Can Always Come Back To This" which was featured on the NBC drama This Is Us. He co-owns a wine label called Ledbetter Syrah. His songs have been featured in the film Crash and television series such as Brothers and Sisters, In Plain Sight, Eli Stone, What About Brian, Lincoln Heights, North Shore, "Half and Half" and Army Wives. His single "Are You Beautiful" has been used in a national Banana Republic ad campaign. Critic Paul Saitowitz of The Press-Enterprise compared his voice to Ray Charles, writing that it "fluctuates from delicate falsettos to shrieks reminiscent of Ray Charles". In a concert review, the San Antonio Express-News wrote that he has "one of the most powerful voices going." Pierce's songs are currently featured on both Sirius Radio and XM Radio. Pierce has relationships and sponsorships with several music and clothing companies, including Blue Microphones, Hohner Harmonicas, Taylor Guitars, Horny Toad and Nau Activewear. Pierce recently formed a classic roots, rhythm & blues project called Reverend Tall Tree. The album was released on April 28, 2015.
Pierce Album recordings include: You've Got To Feel It! War & Pierce Reverend Tall Tree, When the Hustle Comes to a Stop I Can Hear You Chris Pierce Live At The Hotel Cafe Walking on the Earth Static Trampoline Intimate Moments Liberation Vol. 1
Television
Pierce's voice has been heard on the hit HBO series "True Blood". Chris Pierce co/wrote the song "We Can Always Come Back To This" for the hit TV show "This is Us". Pierce's original music has also been featured on TV shows like Brothers & Sisters, What About Brian, "Dawson's Creek", "Eli Stone", "Half and Half", "Lincoln Heights", Army Wives, In Plain Sight, Sister Act, "Great Plains" and "The Long Shots" starring Ice Cube.
Commercials and Radio
Pierce's music was also featured on a Banana Republic ad campaign that included 6 different commercials during the show "Project Runway." Additionally, he was chosen as KCRW's Today's Top Tune and he appeared on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic with Nic Harcourt, who selected Pierce's album, Walking on The Earth, as "Best album of July 08".
