Chris Marion

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Chris Marion
Background information
Born (1962-01-08) January 8, 1962 (age 62)
OriginBelton, Texas, U.S.
GenresRock, gospel
Instrument(s)Vocals, keyboards
Years active1976–present
Websitechrismarionmusic.com

Chris Marion (born January 8, 1962) is an American musician best known as a member of the Little River Band and for his contribution to the rock and gospel music industries. Born in Belton, Texas, and growing up in rural Virginia, Marion started his musical career as a pianist for his traveling family gospel group. He started taking piano lessons at age four and continued classical training on piano, trombone, and voice through college.

Early life

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After graduating with honors from Chilhowie High School in 1980, Marion pursued a degree in music at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee. He eventually graduated with a degree in psychology. It was during his time at Carson Newman that he developed the relationships that led him to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue music professionally.

Career

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Since moving to Nashville in 1987, Marion has toured with the likes of Steven Curtis Chapman, Shenandoah, Beth Moore and Jeannie Seely of the Grand Ole Opry. In 1994, along with Danny Myrick, Marion founded the country rock band Western Flyer on the Step One Record label which garnered four charting Billboard singles in the country genre along with critical praise.

As the writer and producer of a variety of children's musical projects, Marion has received 4 Gospel Music Association Dove Award nominations. He has been involved in projects involving LifeWay Christian Resources VBS and other religious products for Word Records, Benson Records and others. As a producer, Marion was part of a team that worked with Garth Brooks, Doug Stone, the Oak Ridge Boys and Charlie Chase.

At the end of 2004, Marion was invited to join Little River Band in which he is the keyboardist and a vocalist.

In 2011, Marion founded TourPRO, a touring personnel resource that facilitates personnel placement with artists and tours.

In 2013, Marion joined the editorial team at Harmony Central, a weekly e-magazine that features articles about the music industry, gear reviews, artist interviews and discussion forums.

In 2020, Marion married Stephanie Calvert of the band Starship.[1] During their COVID-19 band hiatuses, they formed a duo, the B-Listers, with limited North American touring coordinating with the touring schedules of their respective bands.[2]

In 2023, Marion was honored with a Triumph Award from his alma mater, Carson Newman University for distinguished achievement in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.[3]

Discography

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year title artist contribution
1989 Compassionate Heart Tony Elenburg (Milk and Honey) keys/bass/vocals/production
1990 Dr. Newheart's Christmas Cure Kathie Hill (Starsong) keys / arrangement
1993 The Don't Be Afraid Brigade Kathie Hill (Genevox) keys / arrangement
1993 My Wife, My Life Charlie Chase (RCA) keys / vocals /production
1994 Hans Bronson's Gold Medal Mission Kathie Hill (Genevox) keys / arrangement
1994 Western Flyer[permanent dead link] Western Flyer (SOR) keyboards/vocals
1996 Back in America[permanent dead link] Western Flyer (SOR) keyboards/vocals/producer
1996 Nic at Night Kathie Hill (Genevox) keys / arrangement / songwriter
1997 The Christmas Family Tree Kathie Hill (Genevox) keys / arrangement / songwriter
1997 Levite Genes Kathie Hill (Genevox) keys / arrangement
1998 Dr. Newheart's Neck up Check Up Kathie Hill (Word) keys/arrangement (Dove Award nomination)
1998 Legacy Chris Marion (NCS) artist / producer
1999 The Oasis Project Marion/Myrick/Wood (Genevox) keys/producer/creator
2000 Fish Tales Kathie Hill (Word) keys / arrangement
2000 Black and White Chris Marion (NCS) artist / producer
2001 Sketches Chris Marion (NCS) artist / producer
2001 Esther-Ordinary Faith Kathie Hill (Word) keys / arrangement
2001 Operation Christmas Child Kathie Hill (Word) keys/arrangement (Dove Award nomination)
2002 Woven in Time Steve Green (Word) vocals/choir (Dove Award nomination)
2002 Good News from a Grave Kathie Hill (Word) keys / arrangement
2003 Pieces Chris Marion (NCS) artist / producer
2003 Holy Moses Kathie Hill (Word) keys / arrangement (Dove Award nomination)
2004 Unashamed Love Travis Cottrell (Integrity) keys
2003 Christmas SOCCER Team Kathie Hill (Word) keys / arrangement (Dove Award nomination)
2005 321 Broadway Fanny Grace (Sony/BMG) keyboards
2006 Rearranged Little River Band (Compass) keys/vocals
2007 Greatest Hits Live Little River Band (Sony/BMG) keys/vocals
2007 We Call It Christmas Little River Band (Little River Band Productions) keys/vocals
2010 Outback EP Little River Band (Little River Band Productions) keys/vocals
2013 Cuts Like a Diamond Little River Band (Frontiers Records) keys/vocals
2013 Classic Hits Little River Band (Cracker Barrel) keys/vocals
2016 Revisited Little River Band (Wurld Records) keys/vocals
2020 Black Tie Little River Band (Wurld Records) keys/vocals

References

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  1. ^ "Chris Marion & Stephanie Calvert". Archived from the original on 2021-11-18.
  2. ^ B-Listers, The. "The B-Listers - Band, Musician". The B-Listers. Retrieved 2021-11-18.
  3. ^ Communications, Marketing and (October 25, 2023). "C-N celebrates outstanding alumni during Annual Awards Ceremony". Carson-Newman University.
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