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.
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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.