The Chris Chandler Show

a very special event

Early on I set as a goal to be able to re-memorize poetry and get back on the stage!  I have been working my ass of to get there.

And let me tell you, setting that goal has done more for me in my recovery than any institution, doctor, or therapist!!!

So, I am going to be doing just that!  Getting back up on the stage for the first time in my hometown of Austin, Texas!

Many of the people that have been hands on here in Austin will be joining me.

Anne Feeney’s daughter Amy Sue Berlin has unquestionably been the corner stone in this recovery here in Austin.  When I asked her about it, she made a request of which song she wanted to sing!  I cried.

Grace Rowland who came to the hospital and sang songs when I was barely cognizant encouraged me to read poetry anyway while she sang.

Jesse Otis Dalton, who has been a long time collaborator will be backing me up musically.

Jena Kirkpatrick was the chief instigator to get me to write again.

Irina Astra - fellow poet and dear friend has given me her valued feedback on every poem I have written since the accident and countless ones before.

Jeff Knight came to my apartment twice a week as a performance coach to get me to re-memorize poetry, get me up on my feet, and taught me how to not stutter better than any speech therapist.

He will MC the whole evening.

Obo Martin grabbed me by the lapels and got me to read for his audience whether I was still stuttering or not.

Helyn Rain never stops inspiring me, conjuring a creative community while insisting I contribute.

Raina Leigh Krause and I swap paintings for stories and bolognaise sauce for burlesque.

Fiz Gig Bates is a fellow stage hand and Union member that can crank a mean crescent wrench while wearing a clown nose.

Together we will be celebrating the road to recovery by returning to the Stage in Austin  - Radio East - Sunday September 20th - 7pm (doors at 6).

It is all our way of saying thank you to all of you that have done so much to support me and with an eighteen wheeler full of hard work, it can be done.  A celebration of the road to recovery, that leads to the stage.

Hope to see you for the show!  If you - or anyone you know - are in the Austin area it would mean a pick-up truck to both me and our creative community to come out for this special and important event.