2606B Raeford Road
Fayetteville, NC 28304
Tel: 910-677-0055
ON STAGE
Chris Hurst
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Chris Hurst
Fayetteville, North Carolina
On Stage at Paddy's Every Friday Night 10PM-11PM
Chris Hurst plays the blues
Fayetteville Observer Weekender
By Jessica De Vault, Staff Writer
If you've ever ventured out to Paddy's Irish Pub you have likely seen Chris Hurst perform. He's into the blues and has become a staple at bars and music venues across the city. As busy as he's been with his shows - he has at least two performances a week - he's definitely in high demand.
"I give a hundred percent at every show. I think people appreciate that I'm showing up early, being ready to play," he said. "People hear about that through word of mouth."
Hurst, who is 29, said he knew his home was on the stage since he was a young teenager and hung around many local blues artists.
"I've been playing at clubs since 16. I used to go in as a kid to Our Place that used to be on Raeford Road. I used to sit in with the house band. They let us come and listen, even though we weren't of age. Just seeing the variety of talented blues musicians in this area, it made you want to step up your game and take it to the next level," Hurst said.
His four-song EP, "About Time," has been floating around the city for about a year now, but he expects his first full-length album to be released sometime next year.
He said he has ambitious goals when it comes to music.
"I've always been a dreamer, and I always wanted to do something in the spotlight," he said. "Music doesn't only fulfill my dreams, but it gives me that passion. It brings me a certain sense of peace. I knew I wanted to do it."
Hurst took time out of his busy schedule to talk with the Weekender Street Edition about his musical upbringing and his career plans.
Weekender: For those who have never experienced a Chris Hurst show, how would you describe it?
Hurst: It's in your face. I don't sit down, I always stand up. It's very animated. I play a lot of blues, so you'll get a lot of funny facial expressions. It's not just a sit down on a stool, acoustic kind of thing. It's definitely a show, with a huge variety of music.
Weekender: How long have you been singing?
Hurst: Since I was 14. I was playing piano as a kid, playing by ear. Then I got into the guitar when I was in my early teens. I learned to play when putting in Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan in my CD player.
Weekender: Were you the only person in your family to be so musically inclined?
Hurst: My mom sang gospel in church as a young woman, but that's really it. I've always felt the music though. The piano was always something that we had in the house, but the guitar lets me express myself a lot more than a piano.
Weekender: What made you fall in love with the blues?
Hurst: When I heard the blues music by Stevie Ray and Jimi Hendrix it hit me like a ton of bricks. I knew then that's what I wanted to do. It always made my hair stand up and gave me the chills. I felt it, and there's something a little extra special about it. You just follow that good feeling.
Weekender: So what can we expect from your upcoming album?
Hurst: It'll be about not taking life for granted and just learning from your mistakes and trying to better yourself as a human being. That's the real message.
Weekender: You've been all over town performing this past year. Any favorite venues?
Hurst: I really enjoy playing at Paddy's, because the crowd is so involved. And I like the big venues like at Festival Park or at charity events, where I can give back. Anytime people are coming out for a good cause, that's worth playing for.
Weekender: Have you had any local mentors to help you with your career?
Hurst: Paddy Gibney, he's been helping me see how to interact with the crowd better, how to take my abilities and skills and do well with them. He's been a mentor to me. I've known him off and on since I was a kid, and we've been friends a couple of years.
Weekender: What are some of your career aspirations?
Hurst: My short term goals are to branch out throughout North Carolina and South Carolina. Hopefully, I'll establish myself. It's hard nowadays when you're signing with somebody. It's not like the 80's and 90's. Now people can download your music on their iPods. So I think making money as a musician is more about playing shows than selling CDs. My long-term goal would be to relocate to a place like Nashville or Memphis, and hopefully get a record deal.
Weekender: Since you're doing so well these days, what advice would you have for other artists in town who are trying to get steady gigs?
Hurst: It takes a lot of hard work to accomplish it. Some people just think you're born with talent, but I practice four or five hours a day. All it is, is a lot of hard work, there's no easy way to get around it. Keep playing and don't put it down. . . (and) always relate with the crowd, interact with the crowd. Work hard and be on time, because it's like a regular job, nothing is going to fall into your lap.