Chris Vaughn

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Country Success (Cullman Times)

Published on 8/24/2006

By Carla Whitaker

Chris Vaughn used to dream of travelling with a big-time country band, doing shows and playing the music he loves. Today, the Addison native's fantasies are finally becoming a reality as he tours with Clay Walker. Vaughn joined the chart-climbing band only four months ago and has already racked up considerable mileage traveling to both coasts with many concert stops in between. The 26-year old bass guitarist moved to Nashville recently to pursue a musical career. "I've been waiting for this a long time," Vaughn said of his recent success. "If I hadn't took this chance, I would have always wondered what would have happened if I had gone." Clay Walker, one of the newest up-and-coming acts on the country music scene, released his self-entitled debut album eight weeks ago and already has a top-20 hit, "What's It To You?" "Clay Walker has generated a lot of excitement," Vaughn said. "The audiences seem very receptive to our style." "It's a very energetic performance - - when you see Clay Walker in concert, you see a real show." Local country music fans will have the opportunity to see the Clay Walker band, along with Sammy Kershaw and many other acts, the weekend of Sept. 25 at the Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville as part of "Big Spring Jam." The two-day event will cost $12.50 for a weekend pass if tickets are purchased prior to Sept. 20. After the date, the charge is $15. Daily passes will be $7. Vaughn said he was fortunate to be selected as one of the seven-member band. After moving to Nashville, he was hired by songwriter Wayne Perry, who wrote Lorrie Morgan's hit "What Part Of No Don't You Understand?" Perry helped Vaughn make contacts in the business. Two weeks later, the musician got an audition for Clay Walker's band. Ironically, he now plays guitar in the band with long-time friend, Jasper native Landon Taylor, who Vaughn has known for almost 10 years. The act is featured on Giant Records in Nashville and is managed by Music Matters, the same company that manages country star Tracy Lawrence. "We owe part of our success to good management," he said. "You've got to get your name out there before the public." "Our managers told us that 'What's it to you?' is played 2,000 times every day on radio stations across the United States, even though it has only been out eight weeks." Vaughn said that the staff of Giant Records is also very professional. The Clay Walker album features 11 songs, which contain a wide variety of musical styles. "There is a lot of different sounds, some are upbeat and some are ballads," he said. "I think it is going to be very popular. "The album sold 120,000 copies during the first week it was released." Vaughn's musical aspirations began when he was 14 and a student at Addison High School. His father taught him to play guitar and he began to play at local parties. Growing up, Vaughn, who is the son of Danny and Shelba Vaughn of Addison, was influenced by both country music and bluegrass. He loved to play old George Jones songs for audiences. However, it wasn't until this year, Vaughn decided to go for broke and move to Music City. "A lot of people think Nashville is only a city of country music, but that's not true," he said. "It is very multicultural. You can find people from everywhere and every kind of music you can think of." Because of Clay Walker, Vaughn has had the opportunity to meet many of his country music idols. They recently opened in Dallas, Texas, for Alan Jackson and John Anderson. In California, the band opened for Jackson and country great Merle Haggard. Out of his favorite performers, he would most like to meet Joe Diffie and Ricky Skaggs, he said. Vaughn has also had a lot of media exposure with Clay Walker's band. They were recent guests on "Nashville Now" on TNN and "Countdown at the Neon Armadillo," a Sept. 13 special on ABC. In addition, they have played Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach, St. Louis, New York City, Orlando and countless other venues. All this is brand new to the 26-year old Addison High School graduate. "I had never travelled anywhere; now I can't believe all the places I've been in only four months," said Vaughn, who tours by bus and plane. "I love playing but getting there is the tough part." They usually arrive around 1 p.m. before a scheduled night show and wait while the equipment is set up and taken down after the show, he said. The hectic schedule usually allows sleep only while the bus rolls. Vaughn said he has a lot of faith in Clay Walker and believes he will help usher in a new generation in country music. Walker, who is only 24, is a native of Beaumont, Texas, the same city that has produced country stars Tracy Byrd and Mark Chestnutt. "Clay has a lot of talent and will do fine," Vaughn said. "In fact, the producers were so excited, they went to Texas to hear him, rather than him travelling to Nashville." Vaughn , like most country musicians, hopes to one day have his own contract. In the meantime, he is more than happy to be playing bass guitar with Clay Walker. "This really seemed to happen like a whirlwind," he said. "My dream to make a living playing professionally finally came true -- I've been looking for it for a long time."



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Country Success (Cullman Times)