Meet Chris Hanks, a singer-songwriter from Northern Virginia with roots here at Lake Anna. Taking Readers’ Choice Gold in both Best Musician and Best Local Band, Hanks found his way to music at a young age. His eclectic taste spans across various genres. Yet, it’s his unique blend of country that captivates audiences, drawing in even those who claim they aren’t fans of the genre.

The journey to becoming a full-time musician wasn’t a straight path for Chris. In his teenage years, the allure of fitting in led him away from his guitar, but the love for music never faded. Inspired by legends like George Strait and Garth Brooks, he found himself drawn back to the strings of his guitar as he entered his twenties.

“I just seemed to always love music since I was a kid,” said Hanks. “I started playing guitar as a teen. I loved Country Music. My parents listen to country and Motown… So as I got into my 20’s I started playing guitar again a lot more seriously… I was very nervous back then about playing in front of people. If you would have asked me back then would I ever quit my job and be playing music for a living I would have laughed and said there is no way.”

Hanks “fell head first” into his solo career at an open mic night, where he was encored and approached by a booking agent. “Next thing you know I went from ‘scared to play’ to having lots of gigs lined up.”
As a solo artist, Hanks cherishes the freedom to express himself spontaneously, letting the emotions of the moment guide his performance.

While he enjoys belting out covers of his favorite tunes, Chris is also a talented songwriter in his own right. This year, he plans to showcase more of his original compositions, adding his unique voice to the ever-evolving tapestry of country music.

“ I love music, it’s in my soul, specially country music, (but) I play different genres,” said Hanks. “People that like country and don’t like country seem to really enjoy my style of country. Definitely wasn’t born with a lot of talent but my mom and specially my dad always taught me to work hard and not give up. So here I am years down the road playing music as a full time job!”

Hanks also plays electric guitar, bass guitar, banjo and mandolin. When he’s not strumming his guitar or belting out lyrics, Chris finds solace in the great outdoors.

Earl Hart

Hello My Name Is Earl Hart I first fell in love with music when I was a roadie for a band as a drum Tech and some friends of mine decided to start a band and this suggested I’d be the singer well within a few years we were headlining and playing everywhere it became a great passion of mine I’ve seen a lot of things played a lot of places though I don’t play any instruments I have a really good ear for when people are Out Of Tune and not playing something right I have a repertoire a little over a hundred songs but funny that I can’t remember what my wife says half the time open for a lot of cool bands Blackfoot was one of my favorites I believe that music is like medicine you can have a very stressful day and hear a song that just takes you back to a place or a memory one of my greatest memories is my mom playing records while she cleaned house just listening to the different styles of music really had an effect of me I also love to cook music and cooking are kind of the same thing they have to be put together and they have to turn out right sometimes you can change it up and make something amazing I’m really inspired by Voices like James Taylor Paul Rogers Eddie Vedder and Steve Perry I like all styles of music I’m not a prude about it but I’m really big fan of classic and southern rock.