By Megan Wehring
KYLE — You never know when inspiration will find you. For Chris Colston, music started running through his veins at a young age, when he played his first beat on a set of drums.
The East Texas native has been sweeping through the statewide music scene since releasing his debut album “Bombs Away” two years ago. Since then, Colston has reached hundreds of fans through his lyrics and played sold-out stadium shows with Koe Wetzel and toured with some big names including Parker McCollum, HARDY, Eli Young Band and Casey Donahew.
“I started playing drums [at an early age],” Colston said. “I went to take guitar and vocal lessons. I kind of realized I could sing a little bit so I put together a band after that. Once I put together a band, I started physically knocking on doors at certain clubs. I started playing in clubs and that built to touring around to getting a booking agency and management. It kind of grew and grew after I beat the pavement for a long time.”
Colston refined his personal music sound, which is gritty Texas roots harmonizing with elements of Rock ‘n’ Roll, by playing and listening to music aficionados.
“It’s a mix between Texas and a Nashville sound,” Colston explained. “Some of the songs kind of have a rock edge but it's also country music right down the middle.”
What makes Colston wake up every day to pursue his dream? He would have to say his family, especially his expectant daughter, and management team.
“My little baby girl that’s on the way helps the drive,” Colston said. “She keeps me out there on the road and makes me work towards something. With that group of people, I’ve got a pretty good support [system].”
Aside from getting to play music for a living, Colston’s favorite aspect of being a musician is the networking opportunities. He enjoys getting to meet various people from different walks of life, genres and careers.
Fans can expect to see “Goodbye Gasoline,” the first single on Colston’s upcoming album, to be released in August. He describes the sound as polished Nashville with a rock edge — which mirrors what the audience would hear at a live show.
Kyle residents can expect to see Colston coming to play at the Railhouse Bar on Saturday, April 23 at 9 p.m.
“Most of us kind of learned during COVID, when everything hit and the whole world shut down, that we might have taken some gigs that we passed on for granted,” Colston said. “When [the Railhouse] reached out to us about playing, we checked it out and saw some other reputable names playing like Eli Young Band and we said that we might as well try it to play in places while we can.”
For more information about Colston’s music and where to purchase tickets, please visit https://www.chriscolstonmusic.com/
