It seems like family takes the form of much more than blood for this singer songwriter. Unassuming and charismatic at live performances... I have to say that the truths he sings of and songs he creates are part of a community I wish I was a part of.
    -Slowcoustic 

Biography
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Don't let artist Chris Dorman's soothing voice and gentle manner fool you. Beneath his calm, humble exterior lies a truly consummate musician and composer.

Chris was surrounded by music from the start, the son of U.S. Army veterans who happened to both be amateur singers. He and his twin sister would often accompany their mother to Karaoke nights at a local bar and perform duets to such hits as "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" by Manfred Mann. Chris took to the piano early, often spending hours composing rambling, dramatic pieces in the living room of his childhood home. Like so many, he picked up an instrument in middle school, the trumpet, and joined the band.

Chris' calling as a musician wasn't solidified, however, until he was presented a late 1960's Yamaha guitar at age 15. To outsider observers, it may have appeared to be just another battered, old guitar. To Chris it was a beacon of hope; a portal to another world; a means of making sense of a confusing and tumultuous teenage life. . "I may have been the one to earn a degree in music, but Chris was always the one meant to be a musician," notes Chris' sister, Joli, who received a degree in vocal performance. "Sure, I could sing the notes on a page, but it was more than that for Chris. The music was a part of him, an extension of his soul. One would not exist without the other."

Chris truly had his start in the local scene in his hometown of Lansing, MI when he began performing at an open mic night near the campus of Michigan State University. He later became the host of the weekly event and continued hosting for six years off and on, separated by spurts of travel around the country. His treks lead him to places he had never been, both literally and artistically. Chris performed anywhere and everywhere from street corners to coffee shops.

In 2001, Chris released his first EP and his first live solo album on his 21st birthday in 2003. He began volunteering at a local venue in 2004 called Magdalena's Tea House. There Chris learned to run sound, ran their event booking, and even prepared their meals and drinks. It was there also Chris really sank in to the larger musical community in Lansing and met members of his future collective and label Earthwork Music. Chris started a songwriter's collective that turned into a band called A Story Told and played for three years with Steve Leaf and others, self released two full length albums, and one live. He played over 200 shows from 2005 to 2007.

At this time, Chris truly became a serious musician. He also met the love of his life, Corie, and in 2007 received the ultimate gift -- a beautiful son, Henry. Chris joined the Earthwork Music collective in 2008 and released his first major solo album, To Begin Again. The album was both a reflection of Chris' journey to date and his hopes for his own future and the future of the world as a whole.

In 2009, Chris, Corie and Henry began a new adventure when they moved to Vermont and shortly thereafter purchased a 143-acre farm. Chris quickly found a new, welcoming community and began creating his latest album, Sita. Set for release on 10/10/10, Sita reaches even greater heights than Chris' previous endeavors. Sita not only exemplifies Chris' extraordinary talent for collaboration, featuring a dozen guest musicians from across the country, but is a carefully crafted and truly complete package of artful and compelling storytelling, and complex yet addictive melodies.

working with kids
Chris also works with children. He leads music and songwriting performance workshops for kids from Kindergarten through 6th grade, presents songwriting workshops for kids, teens, and adults alike, and is currently developing music programming for infant to 3 year olds. His own son, Henry, is 3 as of August 2010 and has been his greatest musical inspiration thus far.

In April of 2010, Chris and the Earthwork Music Collective collaborated with elementary school music teacher, Melissa Sigh to put on a concert with 300 Kindergarten to 4th grade students. The children learned 11 of the musician's original songs to perform for their families, friends and community. Over 700 people attended the concert which was organized to celebrate Earth Day. The day of the concert the musicians put on workshops for the kids all about taking care of the earth.

You can read an article about the concert by clicking here. 

chrisdormanmusic