About

The 'History' CD was started in 1995 and grew over the next five years, this will be it's second release (2006). Geoff Grey and David Snider were the original engineers and co-producers on the project. Which, at the time we had hoped to get to Mutt Lang through a mutual friend. Alas, in this business, promises don't always come through. Nevertheless we had a great time doing it and with Geoff's assistance I met some Incredible musicians in the process. David Snider , who not only co-produced and co-engineered but also played Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Bass & Additional Keyboards as well as adding string sections where needed. Guy"Fooch"Fischetti Added Fiddle and Pedal Steel Guitar. Len Mumbauer did most of the arrangements and piano on the initial recordings then Dave Brown Joined in on the later versions also playing piano. Mike Baglione added his bluegrass style on Sunday Afternoon. We had Dennis Cotton on Drums. Some of the songs were Co-Written By Paty Trinkle , Thank god for her writing assistance. Christopher Wilson (BMI) AKA Stear wrote all the songs except for "Drop Back Quarterback" by Charles Delregno and David Snider (ASCAP).

"Gravure of the Soul" (2007) has been in the writing process for many years and finally is finished. We had a long recording session, well not that long, 14 songs in 5 hours, (Which I am told is unheard of)! This album was recorded direct rather than track mixed so it was a challenge, however life is full of challenges. I was lucky enough to get some incredible musicians on this project. Cathy Johnson on backup vocals, Mike Reale on Drums, Piet Koster on Bass, Jim Quinlan played the Keyboards and spent tons of time arranging the material, bless his heart! Jerry Johnson was the engineer on the project. Again Stephen Pierce supplied the CD cover and artwork. All songs were written by Christopher Wilson (BMI) except for "Feed Jake" by Danny Bear Mayo (ASCAP), And "Run Between The Raindrops" Written by Neil Geraldo (ASCAP) and Myron Grombacher (ASCAP), originally recorded by Pat Benatar.

"Spirit" (2007) was a requested Holiday recording. Probably one of the most challenging projects to date, it includes two original pieces written by Christopher Wilson and Paty Trinkle . An Excerpt from "Yes Virginia There is A Santa Claus",(The classic editorial from the New York Sun circa 1880). "Mary Did You Know" By Mark Lowry and Buddy Green (ASCAP) and eight other traditional Christmas Classics. The studio time on this recording ran about 15 hours including mixing. This CD includes the Talents of Jim Quinlan on Piano & Arrangements, Mike Reale on Drums, Mike O'Leary on Guitar and Vocals, Doug Richards on Bass, Christopher Wilson aka "Stear" (BMI) Vocals. As well as Andrea Loftus and Cathy Johnson on Vocals. Raquel Futia provided the Narrative. Not to mention two children vocalists. Paul LaScola provided additional Guitar and Bass, and was the engineer on the project. Stephen Pierce provided the artwork and Tom Heaton did the graphics on the CD.

The next project in the works is "Basement Chairs." Other than new material by Christopher Wilson (BMI) it will also include "Somebody's Knockin'" Written by Ed Penney (ASCAP), originally recorded by Terri Gibbs. By the grace of God this recording will be available early Spring of 2008.

As of May 2010 I am self represented. With material being recorded from bands worldwide. I continue my affiliation with BMI and the Harry Fox Agency.

The music on this site is written and produced by myself. Other producers where noted. I continue to write and perform. In the past, live concerts were done only to benefit others. Meaning I didn't take a cut of the proceeds. "Save the Music Benefit" Chester NY, "St. Francis Help For The Needy" Providence RI, as well as "Community AIDS Benefit" Middletown NY. Other community performances include Middletown Arts Foundation "Christmas Benefit" and "From Front To Bacharach." This helps fund the arts foundation for children, and their families that are interested in music, drama, and dance but need financial help. I worked as a Cabaret singer in the same club for several years and am still on an on-call basis with them. As my albums are produced they will be available for purchase on this site. If you are in a band or are a performer and would like to use a song Please contact me, I love working with other artists, and in the long run it might benefit both of us. I still do studio work if you are in the NY area and are looking for a vocalist. Under some circumstances studio recordings of other writers material with my vocals will be posted and the writer will be given proper credit. This helps them get their music heard and gets me additional work. Please enjoy your visit here. I greatly appreciate your support. A special note: My Grandfather's, (Nile Wilson) CD of old time fiddle tunes has been re-released.

Times Square Performance, March 2008

The following review was written by Paty Quyn of Clear Channel Radio

CHRISTOPHER ‘STEAR’ WILSON
Has been writing and recording music for the past twenty years. He was born into the music life with his grandparents writing and co-writing material for local groups and often playing nation wide. This upbringing has played a major role in developing his style. He possesses a natural talent which blends contemporary music with the traditional sounds of yesterday. The union creates an originality which allows him to make his mark in the rapidly expanding music forum. His soulful ballads reach out to the listener while his hard driving pieces make it clear that the music and emotion are in his blood.

GROWING UP,
Chris recalls music being all around him. “Mom sang all the time, her and her sister’s sang at home, in choirs, and at funerals”. Her father would often pen his own tunes. “Dad played guitar and banjo and his father played fiddle, often in his long johns”. These influences fed his need to express his own thoughts and emotions through music. Of course growing up in the 80’s opened up the opportunity to explore different kinds of music and allowed him to meld his upbringing with contemporary composition.

PIANO BARS,
Numerous jobs at piano bars were the next influence on his path. “I played piano for many different people, it wasn’t’ always the music I wanted to play, but people enjoyed it, and it certainly broadened my horizons”. He landed a job at a local vaudeville club, at which he performed for twelve years. He continues to horn his craft both vocally and on the songwriting scene. “I get a great response from people, and I’m singing the stuff I love”.

SONGWRITING AND RECORDING,
Chris has teamed up with different songwriters. On occasion, they give him the insight that one can only get from outside their own life. This is what makes his songs ‘transcribe the lives of others’. He has also worked with producers such as David Snider who has, in his years in the business, run the gamut from Janis Ian to Pat Benetar and Vicci Sue Robinson. “It’s always a wonderful experience to work with people in and out of the industry; it opens up the creativity for your own material”.

UPCOMING PROJECTS,
This Spring of 2008 onto the next project currently being written, the fourth CD, ‘Basement Chairs’ will be released. Of course his first CD ‘History’ has been re-released as well as 'Gravure of the Soul' and the new Holiday recording "Spirit". With the assistance of "Music Business Connection" the song "Broken" has been signed and is expected to receive a Grammy Nomination.

WHAT MATTERS,
Is whoever hears Christopher ‘Stear’s’ music, it touches them somewhere close to the soul. His lyrics conjure up images that are unique. However, his individual perspectives convey pictures in the minds of the listeners which are original in concept and familiar in feeling. Chris’s ability to paint the melody of a song with words that express a simple thought, brushed with new strokes and colors is what separates his music from many of the songwriters of today. Somehow Chris with a soulful yet playful touch has found people on a much deeper level.