Memphis native Chris Love has packed his bags full of talent and a style filled with modernized Memphis/Stax sound that’s been carefully blended with older R&B, soul and today’s pop, and brought it here to Murfreesboro.
Beginning his music career at the age of 13 playing covers in a grunge band, Love is no stranger to the stage. At 16, he took home the award for the Jimi Hendrix guitar competition in Memphis which landed him an opening spot at B.B. King’s in Los Angeles opening for Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell from the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
“He has always put his heart and soul into music, and thrived on live performance,” Brandon Bell, frontman for The Compromise, said of Love.
In 2004, Love began a solo project. After finding the perfect lineup, he went on to open for the likes of Marc Broussard, Switchfoot and Maroon 5. He has also played nearly every club in Memphis, including the New Daisy, Hard Rock Cafe, B.B. King’s, as well as the annual Bulldog Bash at Mississippi State University.
“I felt I had gotten everything I could out of Memphis, and knew it was time for me to branch out. Now I am looking forward to playing my first show in the Murfreesboro/ Nashville area at Bluesboro,” Love said.
Love released his first ep in January of 2006, after months of recording and fine-tuned production with Tim Onder and Adam Hill. The CD is available at Cat’s Music of Murfreesboro and cdbaby.net.
Since moving to Murfreesboro in the summer of 2006, Love has had to rebuild his entire band, except his horn section. The band now includes Shane Weckesser on bass, Tony Duncan on guitar, Art Quanstrom on drums, Pete Colin on trombone, Joe Jordan on trumpet, and Richard Evitts on saxophone.
The Pulse recently asked the artist more about his music.
Murfreesboro Pulse: How would you describe your music?
Chris Love: A blend of Marvin Gaye and Justin Timberlake.
MP: What do you feel you gained musically by being raised in Memphis?
CL: Memphis is not a progressive city. When you go to Beale Street every Saturday with your dad and listen to the blues bands on the street the music just kind of becomes a part of your soul.
MP: What has been the highlight of your musical career thus far?
CL: Definitely playing in front of 40,000 people at Mississippi State.
MP: How would you describe your live show?
CL: I like to see people dancing and having a good time. I look at it as a soundtrack to a party.
MP: What are you currently listening to?
CL: The new Prince album, 3121; Future Sex/Love Sounds by Justin Timberlake and old Three Six Mafia.
