Appearing with artist such as The Asylum Street Spanker, Steve Poltz, Billy Harvey, Amy LaVere, Rachael Davis (of Shout Sister Shout!) and others have given Chris an insight to songwriting that others have not had the privilege to enjoy. Influences include John Prine, Guy Clark, Tom Waits, Randy Newman Steve Poltz and Bob Schneider. The the discovery of the playing styles of the old country blues players like Mississippi John Hurt, Blind Blake, Rev. Gary Davis changed Chris's approach to guitar playing. This led to discoveries of Merle Travis, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Leo Kottke and others. Obsessed by the styles of fingerstyle or "fingerpickin'" guitar, combined with the songwriting styles of Tom Waits, Guy Clark, Randy Newman, Steve Poltz, Bob Schneider and others, led to develop the sound Chris has achieved. If you like his stuff, then, "Better Be Scared!"