Music Connection Top 100 Artists of 2003 and, again, 2004! Music Connection Magazine (3/31/03-4/13/03): Chris Valenti, Genghis Cohen, Los Angeles Contact: Hot Line, 818-415-2090; chris@sensitivejohnson.com Web: www.sensitivejohnson.com The Player: Chris Valenti, vocals, guitar, emotional wreck. Material: For a self-proclaimedpremature ejaculator and emotional wreck, Chris Valenti is an accomplished artist. With that description forming his identity and a motto that states, "I have a heart on today!" Valenti is also a funny guy. His folk songs are smart, quirky and just plain weird, but they draw the crowd into his bizarro world. His material explores life's absurdities and relationships gone wrong. A modern day Don Quixote, he's always chasing impossible dreams. Whether he's trying to hook up with a femme fatale or simply dealing with life's frustrations, his focus on minutia and insightful observations are hilarious. This is an artist who clearly knows how to entertain with great lyrics, catchy songs and a twisted point of view. Musicianship: For a funnyman, Valenti is an awfully intense musician. In fact, there's nothing comical about his musical skills. He plays hard and sings well. His vocals are dramatic, emphasizing each emotion -- and there are many -- in each song. A singing storyteller, he brings you on a journey that feels like Disneyland's Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Valenti effortlessly dodges the "novelty" marker by making his songs real and poignant. Like small vignettes set to music, they are as fascinating as they are compelling. Performance: With veins popping out of his neck, Valenti performed like a man possessed -- or, more accurately, obsessed. His intensity was so powerful that the audience gladly yielded to his every whim. Indeed, by the end of his set -- they were as emotionally wrecked as he was. Summary: Chris Valenti is a multi-talented artist who once dressed as a giant penis and performed his entire repertoire on Santa Monica Boulevard. He's also an actor/producer who wrote and starred in a film called Sensitive Johnson, a little story about a premature ejaculator. As a musician Valenti is outstanding, but it's his songwriting that shines the brightest. Clever and slightly crazed, his tunes are the perfect antidotes for these serious times. --Bernard Baur Music Connection Club Review Editor *************** During the past couple years, Chris has strummed his acoustic guitar at many of the music clubs and comedy clubs around Los Angeles, New York, and Las Vegas. Currently, he is recording his third album, his first with his new band - THE EMOTIONAL WRECKS. As well as having songs placed in TV and Film, many of his tunes are featured in the feature film Sensitive Johnson, which he also wrote, produced, edited, and played the lead role. Sensitive Johnson premiered in July at the 2003 Dances with Films festival in Santa Monica; it will have its east coast premiere Jan 7th as the 2004 season opening feature presentation at the New Filmmakers series in New York City; and will be also be featured in the Freedom Film Festival in Philadelphia, Feb 23-28. More information on screening dates of the movie and gig dates for Chris's live music can be found at www.SensitiveJohnson.com.