A homegrown talent from Memphis, TN, Kris Acklen has been performing his story telling songs and entertaining crowds for over a decade. Through the styles of Americana, Rock, and Pop, Kris' songs have the potential to bring laughs and tears throughout his entertaining show. A multi-tasking performer when solo or in a trio, Kris plays drums with his feet as he sings and plays guitar. While playing with his full band, Kris alternates between piano and guitar, his three octave vocal range soaring to your ears. 

​​

    Kris has songs signed with Simply Grand Music Inc. as well as his own publishing company Kris Acklen Music. Locally, Kris has performed on nearly all of the main stages in Memphis TN, such as Minglewood Hall, The New Daisy Theater, The Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center, The Hi Tone Cafe, and Otherlands Coffeebar. Kris has played most of the festivals around Memphis including most notably Rock for Love, River Arts Fest, the Mid South Fair, and the Delta Fair & Music Festival, and Down To Earth Fest at Shelby Farms Park.

​​

    Kris released The Trainsets EP in 2011, a Free Song Series EP in 2014, his Christmas song, "What I Wanted For Christmas," also in 2014, and his latest album Millennidate in 2018. All of which are available on iTunes, Spotify, or krisacklen.bandcamp.com. In 2019, the movie Dolphin Kick was released to Netflix, iTunes, and other streaming services. Kris Acklen and cowriter Mark Petty II were contracted to write the title track, "Dive In," for Dolphin Kick. "Dive In" is now available on all music outlets.

​​

​​

Off The Stage:

​​

    Kris has toured the U.S. and Canada as a front of house mix engineer for Mike Doughty of Soul Coughing, Wheatus, The Band Camino, and Grammy nominated violinist Jeremy Kittel (Kittel & Co.). With DJ Mr. White, Kris cowrote the lyrics and melody to "Supernova" on Larry Heard Presents: Mr. White Virtual Emotion/Supernova. Kris has also written with other Nashville songwriters. As for Kris' solo and side projects he works closely with writing partners and band mates Joe Johnson, Mark Petty II (Kris Acklen Band, Roger Mexico, Headrest) and Brandon Ticer (Kris Acklen Band, Wheatus). Kris has also worked with Memphis/Atlanta rapper RENEGADE El REY, recording his early mixtapes.

I write songs & sing them. I tour the world. Backing vocals for Wheatus, former backing vocals & guitar for Mike Doughty, Robbie Dupree, Lorde. Late Night & The Tonight Show.

Gabrielle Sterbenz is following