The music of singer/songwriter/guitarist Chris Towzey is a journey through classic R&B, rock, and world styles bound by clever and spiritually enlightened lyrics, delivered by our honest, soulful, all-American vocal tour guide. On his debut CD, Rockin’ At The Stoplight (now available at www.christowzey.com, iTunes, CD Baby), the title track welcomes you to the party with an R&B tinged, horn-driven romp through the city streets. Each song tells a story, embracing sounds that embody the characters and moods being explored, from a honky-tonk homage to fine women, to bluesy commentary on the state of the world’s consciousness.

The beginnings of Towzey’s own musical journey can be traced back to his early upbringing, which included barbershop quartets, country, R&B, blue-eyed soul, and Italian tenors. The latter came during a time when his family spent four years living in Italy, where Towzey’s lifelong fascination with the electric guitar began. At the age of twelve, he started a band and played his first gig at the military base school in Italy for his seventh grade dance. Later, as a music major in California, Towzey explored his fascination with recording equipment and built an analog studio, tying it into a pilot class in recording engineering at Sonoma State University.

After being a sideman in a long line of local bands, Towzey decided to focus on his original material and produce music under his own name. He started taking long-distance songwriting lessons with hitmaker Harriet Schock to help him develop his lyric writing. Towzey then moved to Los Angeles for access to further study and music industry resources to help bring life to his artistic vision. After five years learning all he could in L.A. and recording two CDs of original material he moved back to Sonoma County to continue his songwriting, recording, and performing efforts.

World influences are apparent in Chris’ music, and his keen interest in Shamanism and spiritual orientations have steadily helped him to re-focus his life back to his passion for playing music. Plans for the future include writing and producing new music and performing with local artists at regional venues.