Chris Christian was born (February 7) in Abilene, Texas. He is a songwriter, performing artist, record producer, and a record label executive. His songs have been recorded by Elvis Presley, Olivia Newton-John, Natalie Cole, Sheena Easton, The Pointer Sisters, Al Jarreau, The Carpenters, Amy Grant, Patti Austin, Dionne Warwick, America, The Imperials, B.J. Thomas, B W Stevenson, Marilyn McCoo, Dan Peek, Cheryl Ladd, Jane Olivor, Sandi Patti, Ali Lohan, Donnie and Marie Osmond, and others.
As a member of the trio of Cotton, Lloyd & Christian (put together by Mike Curb) in the early 1970s, he enjoyed two top 40 Billboard Hits on 20th Century Records. The group performed on Dick Clark's American Bandstand and Midnight Special. As a solo artist he performed on The Merv Griffin Show, Solid Gold, and was a judge on Star Search. Christian also played guitar with Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, and the Wayne Newton band.
In 1975 Chris got the opportunity to produce his first album. The house band at the Koinonia Coffee House on the campus of Belmont Avenue Church of Christ was a group called Dogwood. Chris thought they had a good contemporary sound, great harmonies, and a solid Christian ministry. He called Pat Boone and asked if Pat would loan him the money to record them. The album he produced "After The Flood, Before The Fire" caught the attention of Word Records.
As a record producer, he is best known for starting Amy Grant's music career by signing her at age 16 to his production company and calling Myrrh Records executive Stan Moser to advise he was making an album on Amy as part of a long term production agreement Christian had signed with Myrrh Records. Christian produced her first album and acted as executive producer for her second, handing over production duties to his college friend Brown Bannister. He owned her songs until 1997 when they we sold to Gaylord Entertainment.
He has produced The Pointer Sisters, Patti Austin, Al Jarreau, Natalie Cole, Amy Grant, Dallas Cowboys, B.J. Thomas, Dan Peek, B W Stevenson, Debby Boone, Steve Archer, New Gaither Vocal Band, Marilyn McCoo, Eric Champion, Ali Lohan, Pat Boone, and over 100 other albums.
As the first artist signed to Boardwalk Records owned by Neil Bogart, with Bob Gaudio (Four Seasons) producing, he recorded "I Want You, I Need You," which peaked at #37 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1981 and reached the Top 10 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary (A/C) Chart. "I Want You, I Need You" was a number one song in some countries outside the USA. Cheryl Ladd sings back-up on the song along with many other artists on the album including Christopher Cross, Nigel Olsen, Frankie Vallie, Dann Huff, Tommy Funderburk, Bill Champlin, Paul Jackson, Amy Holland, and Robbie Patton. Other artists on Boarkwalk Records were Ringo Starr, Joan Jett, Mike Love (Beach Boys), and Night Ranger. Robert Kardashian (the Kardashians' father) was Chris' best friend, manager, and was responsible for Chris signing with Boardwalk.
Christian has produced albums that have been nominated for nine Grammy Awards, winning four. He has also been nominated for seven Gospel Music Association Dove Awards as an artist, songwriter, and producer-winning five. He has also released sixteen other albums as a solo artist.
Throughout his career, he has written music for many major TV sports events such as the Super Bowl, NCAA Finals, The Masters, The Olympics, NFL Today, US Open, and many more.
In 1981 Chris launched his own label Home Sweet Home Records. On that label he signed and produced albums for White Heart, Steve Archer, Mark Heard, Dan Peek, B.J. Thomas, Eric Champion, Rick Riso, Luke Garrett, Marilyn McCoo, and others.
In 1992 he founded HSH Educational Media and Executive Produced and wrote the music for the popular children's series "Gerbert" which aired on PBS and what is now ABC Family for over 10 years. His company continues to own and license the Gerbert shows and music. The Gerbert TV series won an ACE award for best Pre-School Show.
Chris purchased The Studios at Las Colinas in 1992 and with partner Ross Perot, Jr purchased the acreage around The Studios Complex selling their interest in the Studios and the remaining land to Fox Sports Southwest in 2003.
Christian was CEO of World Digital Media Group and YMC Records, a joint venture by Radio Shack, Dish Network, and Sirius Radio, until May 2007.
He was inducted into the West Texas Music Hall of Fame, as well as the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2007. He is Vice Chairman/Managing Partner of the Dallas Wings (WNBA), and listed among the Distinguished Alumni of Abilene Christian University (Class of 1973). His family was one of the founders of Dallas Covenant and lives in Dallas, Texas.
Chris published his memoirs entitled "A Grandmother's Prayer - Moments in a Musical Life" in 2019. For more details or to purchase the book please click the link "A Grandmother's Prayer".
