Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Dismuke.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Chris. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I consider myself a Colorado native, although, with full disclosure, I was born in California and moved to Colorado with my family when I was one year old. Born to Melvin and Linda Dismuke, I was the 3rd of 4 children. I was raised in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and my parents raised us all with our faith firmly planted in Christ Jesus. I and all three of my sibling’s names all start with “Christ.” I am Christopher, my sister is Christina, and my brothers are Christiaan and Christlon. I also have a 3 and a half-year-old silver lab named Apollo. My mom who loves to sing tried the Jackson 5 thing with us where we would sing church songs in the convalescent home where my great aunt stayed in Englewood.
The start of my music career began when I picked up my dad’s Saxophone in 3rd grade and began playing by ear to Gospel music with my mom. Finding a natural love and ability, my parents gave me my first bass guitar on my 13th birthday. At which point, I started playing in garage bands throughout high school. While playing, I also began to center my focus on football, to which I received a scholarship to play collegiately at Ft. Lewis College in Durango, which began to remove playing music from my life. I then broke my wrist in a football game, which sent me into depression, and I ended up leaving college after two years. After coming home, I worked at a Christian coffee shop and played bass for the high school Sunday church service in highlands ranch. 2 years later I started working at many restaurants in the Denver metro area while diving back into the music I played in a six pieces band with some of my high school friends. I grew with Illegal Pete’s for six years and served as GM last three years. Transitioned from that into education for two years as a Before & After School Director in Englewood Schools. Motivated by playing open mics all over town for roughly a year, I decided that I needed to really focus back on my music I grew a quick and strong following of fantastic supporters! So, I picked up my Acoustic Electric bass guitar and developed my own style of playing acoustic bass. It consists of strumming chords and harmonizing singing a wide variety of eclectic genres, from Bill Withers, Nancy Sinatra, Lorde, Coolio to Brittany Spears. Now I play all around Colorado playing bars, restaurants, weddings, private parties, events, and fundraisers as a full-time musician.
Has it been a smooth road?
Becoming a full-time musician has certainly come with its fair share of challenges, and I presume it will always be tough. I have been blessed to develop good relationships and have many of the places I play continue to rehire me. I try to book my schedule at least a month in advance, so I know if I will be able to pay my bills, make ends meet, and survive another month. Right now it is really difficult as most of my clients (restaurants, bars, events, weddings have all been halted due to Covid-19. Back during Quarantine, I was selling singing-grams where my supporters would pay me to play a requested song over Facebook or Instagram. Also, I was playing live shows online with a virtual tip jar. Now I am slowly back to get some gigs but at less than half of what I was playing last year. I am very grateful to be able to pay most bills and thankful my parents could help me out at this time of need.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
Most of what I do is as a solo artist, but additionally, I have a three-piece band. Last year I was playing around 15 shows a month solo and two shows with my band. The big thing that stands out is that I play acoustic bass and sing as a solo act. I have never seen anyone else play this way so I have a lot of freedom to experiment. Growing up loving music I cover songs from many different genres and decades: pop, alternative, rap, and country. Most of the responses I receive is that it’s quite unique that I am getting the sound out of 4 strings, rather than 6 on a guitar. I play an eclectic array of covers which I rearrange into my style of soulful groove pop, but also sprinkle in some originals I’ve written myself too. It is always fun to watch the audience when they figure out which song I am playing. I encourage anyone who hasn’t experienced my style to come out and see for yourself, I’m sure you’ll have a great time and be able to sing and dance!
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Denver was up and coming in the music scene pre-COVID-19. I believe once we can get back to semi-normal, there are a lot of places/breweries who love live music. Additionally, there are a ton of people who enjoy nothing more than a beautiful patio, great weather, bringing your dog, drinking local beer, and enjoying some great live music. A lot of the places I play are dog friendly and my dog Apollo loves attention and he comes to events with me. So overall I believe Colorado is a good place for what I am doing, yes.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 17202904403
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Chrisdismukemusic
- Facebook: Chrisdismukemusic
Image Credit:
Daniel Page
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