After years working on his craft as a singer, band member, supporting player, songwriter and all around good guy, Chris Roberts is finally making his solo debut with the release of The Way West via Catch This Music.
"I think this solo record is long overdue," said Roberts. "I’ve been singing and recording in groups and on demos for other people for years and just realized I don’t have an album of just me."
The Montana native headed to New York City after graduating from the University of Montana and quickly found work as a successful singer and actor working on musicals like The Civil War, Tommy, Godspell and with groups like the New York Philharmonic, the NYC Ensemble for Early Music. He’s shared the stage with Paul McCartney at Carnegie Hall for McCartney’s oratorio, Standing Stone, along with performing at Lincoln Center as part of the Philharmonics for Brahms Requiem.
He moved to Nashville to join the band One Flew South, a trio of talented singers who charted with their album The Last Of The Good Guys after it was released by Universal/Decca Records to critical acclaim. He’s later worked with artists like Zac Brown Band, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, Rusted Root, The Avett Borthers, an Jimmy Buffett along with signing with CTM Writers INK last year.
The Way West was produced by Jason Gantt and features eleven Roberts originals including collaborations with hit writers Gantt, Sam Ashworth (Switchfoot, Joy Williams, Kris Allen), Johnny Bulford (Lee Brice, Chris Young), Chris Gelbuda (Meghan Trainor, Billy Currington), and Scott Stepakoff (Tim McGraw, Kip Moore, Kelsea Ballerini).
"I love all the writers with whom I wrote these songs. Jason Gantt really helped define the sound of the record and hone in on the lyrical content. I'm proud of the end result."
The Way West features 11 tracks - all of which co-written by Roberts and many inspired by his Northwest upbringing.
"The album is filled with songs of journey and hope and love and loss - everything a singer-songwriter's record should be full of. I wanted to point it thematically westward, because I hear a lot of my Montana upbringing in the music and in these stories."
Chris Roberts The Way West Tracklist:
- Some Beginnings
- On My Way To You
- Picture On The Wall
- Love Gets Gone
- ’63 Airstream
- Trying To Stop The Rain
- I Believe In You
- Kill Me Again
- Heartless World
- The Way West
- Song For A Girl
Brandon
Love it! Not "country" in the sonic sense of George Strait or Garth, but in the sense of it being music that everyday people can relate to. The storytelling and emotive vocal performances on this record are just captivating.
Kathryn
I am happy to see the spotlight on Chris Roberts. He's an all-around amazing guy! These songs will be in heavy rotation at my place.
Eddie
This album is amazing! Shows both Chris's outstanding songwriting ability along with his rich vocals as a unique recording artist.