Chris Janson photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

A line from one of Chris Janson’s songs says a lot about his style: "What’s wrong with rockers driving pick-ups --Johnny Cash was wearing black before Sid Vicious." The desire to blend two seemingly opposite worlds is at the heart of Chris’s sound, combining pure country with rock themes, a driving guitar, and his signature harmonica. His unique style is what caught the attention of Sony Music Nashville and lead to his signing with BNA Records.

The word ‘dichotomy’ also represents Chris in many ways – part small town country boy, part showman. At about ten years old, he started playing guitar with the help of his grandpa, Jay Bowling, who taught him three, chords -- and he took it from there. With that foundation Chris taught himself to play, and he never looked back. "Keep Your Hands To Yourself" by the Georgia Satellites was the first song he mastered, "a somewhat mature subject matter I will admit," says Chris.

Born in Perryville, Missouri he grew up an only child for which he credits, his passion for music." I was drawn to music and performing at such an early age" he recalls. "Perryville was a small farming community, and my family was typical of the town – not rich, not poor, just middle of the road. I pursued a variety of jobs throughout my childhood and teenage years to make extra money, from working at a sno-cone shack to training horses and even teaching at a veterinary clinic," says Chris. "On the side I played music, performing in bars from the age of 11."

After high school, Chris had to decide his next step. "I chose Nashville over college, even though I had been offered a full scholarship somewhere else. After spending three nights sleeping in my car, I landed a gig at Tootsies Orchid Lounge in downtown Nashville. After my first performance, the management of the legendary night spot, hired me to perform there, seven days a week, four shows a day for the next year," said Chris. That’s what we call on the job training.