When New Orleans native and Louisiana National Guardsman Chris Watts was shot in the Super Dome during Hurricane Katrina duty, he thought he’d never return to The Crescent City. Now his own brand of Deep South Americana music has transplanted him from The Big Easy to Music City, USA, drawing comparisons to Jason Isbell, Rodney Crowell, and Steve Earle along the way. “Without the darkness I doubt we’d see the stars,” Watts said. This ethos seems to be the underlying theme of his new album “The God’s Own Truth.” Watts took a touring hiatus in early 2015 when his wife was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. He used the time off to write, produce, and record his new album at East Nashville’s Best Friend Studio with engineer Stephen Allbritton. Southern-fried in sincerity and grit, “The God’s Own Truth” serves up songs of addiction, small-town confinement, and life on the road, garnished with glimpses of shimmering hope. Oh, and there’s a Katrina song. Since first hitting the road in 2010 Watts has brought his Deep South Americana to festivals and historic stages including the Key West Songwriter’s Festival, House of Blues New Orleans, The Howlin’ Wolf, Nashville’s Exit/In, and a year-long residency at Tin Roof on Music City’s world-famous Broadway Ave. He’s opened for internationally touring acts ranging from Sammy Kershaw to Gin Blossoms, Third Eye Blind, and Snoop Dogg, and was named “Artist of the Month” by Puresouthernrock.com. His music has appeared on radio stations across the southeastern United, including the acclaimed 90.7 WWOZ New Orleans, and internet radio stations worldwide. On September 10, 2013, Watts independently released his debut album “CENLA” and funded it through a successful Kickstarter campaign. “CENLA” was recorded at Fudge Recording Studio in New Orleans, LA, by Grammy/Emmy winning producer Jack Miele (Zac Brown Band, Ani DiFranco, Cee Lo Green). “The God’s Own Truth” will be released on March 18, 2016. His debut album “CENLA” is available for digital download on iTunes and Amazon. For CD copies and more information visit www.ChrisWattsBand.com.