About Chris Manning Chris Manning is a Dallas-based guitarist, song writer, and session player. As an artist with a wide-variety of musical tastes, Chris' music remains difficult to categorize. Heavily influenced by rock heavy weights Hendrix, King's X, Deep Purple, Joe Satriani, and George Lynch as well as new age artists Craig Chaquico and Jim Brickman, Chris' style balances technique and melody. To date, he has released two guitar-oriented instrumental CD's and is working on a third. "The Road Back" (2000) His first release "The Road Back" (2000) was an immediate success. At the time, the web site mp3.com was the place to go to hear independent artists and Chris took advantage of that, landing two songs, "Mystic Dreams" and "Once in a Lifetime", in the top 20 in the New Age charts. Shortly thereafter, Chris was chosen as the featured artist of the month on InstrumentalMusic.com, and "The Road Back" was also featured. Rave reviews continued with Chris featured on Guitar Nine Records' "The Undiscovered Talent", a spotlight for up and coming guitarists. The review stated: "The guitarist never overplays; his outbursts of speed (as found on "Mystic Dreams", among others) are purposefully limited and timed to deliver maximum emotional impact." Nashville musician, Christopher Sanderson was another key element to it's success, performing all keyboards as well as contributing to song writing as well. Instrumental guitarist/songwriter Chris Manning brings his signature guitar tones to his latest release, The Road Back. Nashville keyboardist Christopher Sanderson completes the sound with elegant piano mixed with relaxing string arrangements. Fans of Joe Satriani, Craig Chaquico, Journey, and Eric Johnson will love Chris' sound, style, and fretboard dynamics. The December 2008 issue of Guitar Player magazine featured Chris Manning and the song "Journey to Tomorrow" from The Road Back: "This is a beautifully wistful song, built upon a bed of undulating acoustics. Manning exhibits great restraint-and good musical judgement-by limiting the guitar riffs, and letting a haunting piano carry the melody." - Michael Molenda, Editor Guitar Player Magazine CD Review - Guitar Nine Records: Chris Manning is an eclectic guitarist, composer, and session player whose latest CD, The Road Back, combines unique instrumental textures with reflective melodies to paint exotic musical images. Featuring Manning's crisp guitar work and the keyboard stylings of Christopher Sanderson, the CD is rich with stirring melodic passages and lush arrangements. The guitarist never overplays; his outbursts of speed (as found on "Mystic Dreams", among others) are purposefully limited and timed to deliver maximum emotional impact. If you liked Craig Chaquico's Higher Octave acoustic releases, but wouldn't have minded a little electic guitar in the mix, you'll find Manning's release to be just what you're looking for. The Road Back truly showcases both his songwriting and guitar abilities. "Forever November" (2008) While his first release, "The Road Back", definitely belongs in the New Age genre, his second release, "Forever November", is more difficult to place in a single genre. While "Forever November" contains much more electric guitar than "The Road Back", it also featured more of a rock edge in the guitar tone. However, fans of "The Road Back" will enjoy "Forever November", as Chris' signature style and sound is still very evident. Keyboard extraordinaire Christopher Sanderson returns to again contribute both as a musician as well as a song writer. This release is a worthy successor to "The Road Back" and offers fans of rock, funk, and new age music a unique listening experience. In additional to his two guitar-oriented instrumental CD's, Chris has done session work with Savant, Dvinity, Faithbomb, Christopher Sanderson, Rob Colwell, Timothy Martin, and others.