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Inspired by his Cherokee heritage, North Carolina singer / songwriter Chris Ferree released his first Native American CD in 2007 titled Invocation. Influenced by Robert Mirabal, Bill Miller, and Mary Youngblood, among others. Invocation was rooted in the traditional, while balancing on the edges of world and classical.
A combination of strong traditional Native American flute, drums and percussion, fused with contemporary instruments and various ethnic sounds. The result was a ten song collection of diverse instrumentals that ranged from haunting and meditative to spontaneous and moving, reflecting the spiritual journey of a man looking into his past trying to find a way of understanding the present.
Chris’s second Native American offering Overflow is a spiritually charged outpouring intended to at once lift the spirit and calm the soul, a fusion of sounds and influences breathed in over the years and released like a flood, full of power and passion.
Drawing inspiration from historical events and the stories of yesterday joined with a hopeful vision of what tomorrow may bring. This nine song CD, six instrumental and three vocal, is an act of worship filled with resonating drums, stirring percussion, and soaring flute, cascading through lush strings and pads, with flourishes of piano and strumming guitar, creating an emotional and melodic atmosphere of sound.
In 2009 Chris released Unbound, his most eclectic CD to date. Unbound is a move closer into world music territory, filled with signature flute, tribal rhythms, piano, and pads. The songs range from the experimental trance of Skywalkers to the more meditative spiritual sounds of Earth Dance and Healing Tree.
Unbound pushes the boundaries of the traditional, blending jazz, world, trance, and contemporary, bringing a familiar sound into the future. But if you listen closely you can hear echos of the past and a deep admiration for the heritage from which this beautiful music was born.
"I hope you enjoy and embrace these songs as much as I hope they honor and respect the Principle People of this land, those who walked the red road long ago and those who long to walk it now."
Invocation is currently on the top sellers list at CDBaby in the World and Native American categories. Chris' CDs have also been selected as Editor's picks at CDBaby in the World and Native American categories. Songs from Invocation were selected as finalists for the 2008 Native American Music Awards in two categories.
In 2007, Chris signed with the Digital Distribution Label Nashville Noir out of Tennessee and in 2009 he signed with Spirit Wind Records / Raven Hawk Productions out of New York.
Chris lives in his hometown of Shelby, NC with his wife and three children. All of Chris' recordings are done with longtime friend and collaborator, Brad Hord, at his home studio in Kings Mountain, NC.
