Chris Ward (singer)

Chris Ward
Born (1960-06-27) June 27, 1960 (age 64)
Bronx, New York City, New York
OriginNashville, Tennessee
GenresCountry
OccupationSinger
InstrumentVocals
Years active1996
LabelsGiant

Chris Ward (born June 27, 1960 in The Bronx[1]) is an American country music singer. A former police officer and bull rider, Ward signed to Giant Records in 1994. After recording demos, he wrote Confederate Railroad's 1995 single "See Ya".[2]

Ward released his debut single "Fall Reaching" in 1996. Written by Robert Ellis Orrall and Josh Leo, and originally recorded by Orrall in the duo Orrall & Wright, the song received a favorable review from Billboard, whose Deborah Evans Price said that it "should go a long way toward helping Ward get through the clutter of competition at country radio."[3] The song spent two weeks on the Hot Country Songs charts, peaking at number 68.[1]

Stroud and Dann Huff co-produced Ward's debut album One Step Beyond.[4] This album included the song "Only God (Could Stop Me Loving You)", co-written by Robert John "Mutt" Lange. Eric Zehnbauer of Country Standard Time gave the album a mostly-negative review, saying that it "shows too much of the cookie-cutter sameness that has plagued the recent 'hat act' stampede." Zehnbauer's review praised "Fall Reaching" and the up-tempo songs.[5] "When You Get to Be You" was covered by Lisa Brokop on her 1998 album of the same name.

  1. ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 446. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
  2. ^ Mansfield, Brian; Graff, Gary (1997). MusicHound country: the essential album guide. Visible Ink. chris ward see ya.
  3. ^ Price, Deborah Evans (10 August 1996). "Reviews". Billboard. p. 41.
  4. ^ Flippo, Chet (29 June 1996). "Giant's Chris Ward traded his police badge for singing career". Billboard. pp. 28, 30.
  5. ^ Zehnbauer, Eric. "One Step Beyond review". Country Standard Time. Retrieved 9 March 2012.