Getting to Know. . . CHRIS O'BRIEN
 by Kathy S-B  ·  28 June 2007

Chris O’Brien is someone that you must get to know! He’s winning praise and honors of all kinds. He recently was chosen as a Mountain Stage New Song finalist and he’s also one of the Emerging Artists at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival this year. Learning guitar from Dar Williams and moving on to becoming a much-talked about singer-songwriter on his own, Chris is starting to make a name for himself in the music scene so here’s an opportunity to check him out. Learn more about Chris at his website.

A lot seems to be happening in your career lately. I heard you on “Prairie Home Companion” recently when you were part of their “People In their Twenties Talent Show.” That was quite an honor to be selected from so many applicants. What was it like to be on the Prairie Home Companion stage?

The Prairie Home Companion trip was such a whirlwind. We got off the plane and spent maybe an hour at the hotel before we went over to the theater. We spent the whole day rehearsing and sound checking. It was incredible. When we first got there the house band was rehearsing. They all came right over to say hello and welcome us. That was the thing that struck me most, everyone was SO friendly. From the producers to Garrison, the sound people and the other musicians. By the end of the trip I felt like I was leaving summer camp. It was kind of sad. It was easily one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

I love the images of the song “Rosa” which was one of the songs you sang that night. “She is lightning. I am thunder, rolling behind.” Great lyrics that meld with the music so vividly. I’ve since heard the song on the radio — is that the “radio friendliest” tune on the new recording? [Listen to “Rosa” here: broadband | dial-up modem.]

I would say that “Rosa” is the radio song. It’s got the energy and drive you need to get people to notice. I know when I listen to the radio it’s always while I’m doing something else. Driving or cleaning or exercising, you need something to get people’s attention. To make them stop what they’re doing a really listen. I think “Rosa” has that.

I understand that Dar Williams was a friend of your family and taught you a bit of guitar when you were young. Have you had the chance to play with her as an adult?

I’ve never had a chance to play with Dar as an adult. I really really want to and I hope that it happens. I think it will eventually. I’m playing at the Falcon Ridge Folk Fest in July and she is too so at least I’ll get to run into her as a fellow musician playing the same gig. That’ll be cool.

You cite a variety of influences ranging from Richard Shindell to Joni Mitchell to Bob Dylan to Ferron. They’re all very literate and emotive songwriters who dig real deep for their lyrics. Do you still listen to these heroes of yours to gain inspiration? Can you name one or two tunes that burned into your soul when you first heard them and inspired you to pick up your guitar and write one of your own?

Those musicians are very important to me. I heard Bob Dylan’s “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere” the summer I first picked up a guitar and fell in love with Dylan. I spent that whole year only listening to Bob Dylan. My mom had his Greatest Hits Volume 2 on vinyl and at the end of the 2nd record is “Tomorrow’s a Long Time”… forget it, after that my fate was sealed, I was going to write songs.

My mom listened to Ferron when I was little and I remember Testimony the best. That voice too is burned in my brain. She’s intoxicating. I had the honor of taking a writing workshop with her when I was first starting to perform. I’ve taken it twice since then, including just a few months ago, Ferron has been a huge influence.

You’ll be playing at the World Café in Philadelphia next week. That’s another big time gig, Chris! It sure seems like things are starting to break for you. I know it’s real hard work to keep a music career going; do you have time for anything other than music in your life?

I do some stuff. I was just in France for my best friend’s wedding and I like to play tennis. I’ve heard that Mark Erelli is an amazing tennis player so I’m working on a showdown. From what I’ve heard he’ll kill me though.