Though he's been a baker, journalist, teacher, and a few other jobs, Pick has been surrounded by music all his thirty years. But his fascination contains an anachronism - almost all of Pick's influences are pop stars from the 50s, 60s and 70s.
As a baby, his parents would rock him to sleep (in more ways than one) while they sang Elvis Presley songs. When he was four, he learned keyboard and, a year later, took up guitar (Mom wanted him to play like Elvis). He ended up with a Sesame Street record player and some old 45s...including "Pleasant Valley Sunday" and "I'm A Believer" by The Monkees.
One day his Dad was watching television reruns of "The Monkees," and a young Chris Pick walked in to hear "I'm A Believer" coming out of the set. Pick made the connection...becoming a diehard fan of The Monkees. Like REM singer Michael Stipe (and others), Pick cites The Monkees as a catalyst for his love of pop music. His mother bought him every Monkee album, and he favored the Davy Jones songs (years later, he'd meet them). "I grew up with The Monkees," jokes Pick, "...with the reruns!" Having worked for Davy Jones at concert venues, Pick provided Davy Jones with rare recordings (as well as liner note info) to be featured on upcoming Davy Jones releases. Two of these projects are currently available on Jones' website: "DAYDREAM BELIEVIN'" and the re-release of "INCREDIBLE!" Check out http://www.davyjones.net for more information.
Mom also filled Pick's ears with the upbeat sounds of The Beach Boys, Rick Nelson, and Herman's Hermits - Pick's first music purchase was a vinyl LP of "There's A Kind Of Hush" (as a kid his favorite song was "I'm Henry The VIII").
Pick eventually realized The Monkees were cast in the shadow of another band - The Beatles - who were added to his list of favorites. Pick's' 2000 EP release "THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC" pays tribute to the late John Lennon. Released for John Lennon's 20th Memorial (December 8, 2000), the title track went 1 in Australia.
At the age of eight, Pick decided he wanted to be like Paul McCartney, so he took up double bass in school. He was a member of The Williamsport Area High School Millionaire Strolling Strings under the direction of Walter J. Straiton (a nominee for the 1st Annual American Teacher Awards). Pick's pursuit of scholarly pedigree then took him through Mansfield University and Lycoming College. He was a member of the Lycoming College Choir and has been in church bell choirs, church worship groups, jazz bands and numerous orchestras and symphonies. While at Mansfield, he was a member of Music Educator's National Conference, Pennsylvania Music Educator's Association, and American String Teacher's Association (having served as president). He values education. It's no wonder that the Columbine tragedy in Littleton, Colorado touched his heart so much that he payed tribute to the Columbine martyrs Rachel Joy Scott and Cassie Bernall on "THE MISSION PROJECT" in 2002 - with the songs "RACHEL'S PRAYER" and "BELIEVE IN LOVE." "RACHEL'S PRAYER" is based on the journals of Rachel Scott and found in the book "Rachel's Tears" which was written by her father Darrell http://rachelscott.com "BELIEVE IN LOVE" was written about both the Columbine tragedy and September 11th. Pick regularily performs these songs in concert. On Valentine's Day 2002, Pick was invited to perform for Operation Mobilsation in Atlanta on Valentine's Day in which he premiered "RACHEL'S PRAYER." In 2003, Pick was invited to performed at a September 11th/Firefighter tribute concert in Spartanburg, SC sponsored by Sprint and The Red Cross.
"THE MISSION PROJECT'S" first radio release, "THE MISSION," was played on GOOD NEWS FM in 2001/2002, Turkey's only Christian radio station with 45 to 50 million listeners. The song was requested up to five times a day on GOOD NEWS FM.
Pick's mission work had also led him into the direction of mission video projects. Pick played bass on a song for a New Tribes mission video. He later released his own mission video/DVD with help from Lynne Whelden (Award-winning Camera-man and America's 1 hiking video producer www.lwgear.com), entitled SATAN REVEALED.
As a teacher and as a pop music craftsman he reports, "I once taught a five-year old Indian girl how to play the dulcimer. She won an award for her performance of my dulcimer composition PSALTERIAN DOLCIMELO. She was even one of my top violin students and a while back she played a duet (alongside a violist student of mine) which I directed at at the recital.
For five years, Pick taught strings, piano/keyboard, music theory, and music composition at Saint John's School of the Arts in Williamsport, PA before moving to Spartanburg, SC. He had also instructed a seminar, "HOW TO BE A SONGWRITER!!! - Songwriting 101." After moving to Spartanburg, Pick became the primary violin instructor at HAMES MUSIC - considered one of the Southeast's "finest" music stores. He was also involved with the Spartanburg Home School Band. After moving back to Pennsylvania in 2004, Pick worked as a technician in the Band Cleaning & Repair Center at Robert M. Sides Family Music Center in Williamsport, PA.
From 2004 to 2006, Pick taught 5th and 6th Grade as well as Music Appreciation at the Christian School at Cogan Station in Cogan Station, PA. During this time, Pick started a very successful after-school music program offering private music instruction to all ages at an affordable cost. In doing so, he helped build a youth band for the church. Pick also lead worship with the senior pastor of the Christian Church of Cogan Station for a brief period in 2005.
Chris writes: "I love working with people, bringing them to the joy of music and helping them show their God-given talent. It's been a life-long dream to share my music with the world and make a difference, whether it's teaching or performing."
Chris is happily married to Michelle Watkins (a teacher in the Williamsport school district and a partner in ministry). He currently works as a luthier apprentice at JR JUDD VIOLINS in Williamsport, PA http://www.jrjuddviolins.com where he helps in the construction and re-construction of violins, violas, cellos, and double basses. He continues to teach privately and perform regularily.
In late 2006, Pick hooked up with producer Jerry H. Lynn to begin work on new recordings.
Pick's new EP "SONGS IN BLACK & WHITE" is set for release in March 2008. The first radio single "YES VIRGINIA, THERE IS A GOD" was released on the Ison Live Radio Christian playlist in Australia. Pick's latest radio release "LANCASTER" is heard worldwide and was at the top of the US/UK BREAKING HITS charts in Australia, December 2007. Go to http://www.isonliveradio.com for more details.
RadioIndy Review: “Songs in Black & White” by Chris Pick is an inspiring contemporary/pop album, demonstrating a gentle simplicity that awakens the heart. Songs like “Yes Virginia” give deep insight into the amount of heart and passion that went into each of these songs. This uplifting track brings hope in light of tragedy using an emotion-laden piano progression, well-written poetic lyrics, and a tear-inducing vocal performance. In general, Chris’s compositions reflect a soft, gentle quality and are mostly piano-driven. His melodies and vocal tone find their way straight to the soul. Moreover, “Our First Dance” delivers a memorable tribute to the beauty of love, and is complimented by the gracious sounds of the violin. With production that allows Chris' voice and passion to take the center stage, this CD will be worthwhile for any fan of positive adult contemporary/pop music. by- The RadioIndy. com Review Team http://www. radioindy. com/bands/4478/
