In September 2003, Chris Schoessel quit his job as a financial planner, sold his house in St. Louis, packed his bags and officially moved to Nashville, Tenn. This Southeast graduate is well on the way to realizing his dream of becoming a successful country-music performer.
Using the stage name Chris Blair, he has released two country music albums since 1998. The first, “Face to Face,” included the debut single “Who Do You Think You Are,” which rose to the number-one spot in 1999. Two additional singles, “Why Ask Why” and “Just Like You,” subsequently rose to the top of the independent charts the same year.
Blair’s second album, “A Tribute to the Heroes of September 11, 2001,” was released July 24, 2002, and only 226 copies were produced to celebrate the nations 226th year of independence. A portion of the proceeds was used to assist the victims of the September 11th attacks. “I wanted to do something to help out,” Blair said. “It was a good feeling to be able to help out.”
The performer has been singing since he joined the Imperial, Mo., elementary school choir at age six. “I spent my entire childhood in music groups and musicals,” Blair said. “It’s what seemed natural for me. I would live to be on stage, singing, performing and doing whatever I could to make others enjoy the entertainment.” His youth performances include an appearance at Opryland Theme Park and singing for President Ronald Reagan in Washington, D.C. In college, he toured seven European countries as a member of the Missouri Ambassadors of Music and sang an original song during his Southeast commencement ceremony.
As for recent accomplishments, Blair earned the New Horizon Award at the 1999 Independent Golden Music Awards and was nominated for the Best New Male Vocalist and Best New Rising Star.
In terms of the future, Blair said, “I hope and pray that someday this dream will become a reality, but, until then, I’ll just keep writing, keep singing and have the best time of my life doing it.”
For more information about Blair, visit his Web site at http://www.chrisblair.com/.