Singer-songwriter, Curt Chambers is a stylish artist, both on and off the stage. The Grammy award-winning artist is taking Nashville by storm.

Recording artists, especially those in Country music, come from all sorts of unique backgrounds. Oftentimes, their stories run along parallel tracks. Chambers is an exception in many ways.

Growing up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Chambers learned his first chords and licks on the acoustic guitar from the players that performed in the predominantly Black churches around Philly.

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“I grew up in a strict household and wasn’t allowed to listen to secular music,” Chambers said while recording an upcoming episode for the Southern Americana podcast in mid-July. “Most of my early musical influences came from those who played in our church. They weren’t  household names, but in my opinion, those musicians are some of my musical heroes because they were amazing.”

Curt Chambers is making a name for himself as a singer-songwriter in both Nashville & LA

Chambers recalled that Bishop Lorenzo Harrison, the man who started the music in his church, maintained a friendship with Elvis Presley. He is considered one of the best steel players in the church music scene and also influenced this future instrumentalist.

“I had a lot of energy when I was young, so I learned to play several instruments, ranging from guitar to piano to drums. My childhood dream was to perform in front of thousands of people. I’ve already achieved that goal but want to live it out every day.”

When a young Chambers was later exposed to more secular genres, he immediately gravitated to the soulful sounds of country and blues, such as Eric Clayton and Derek Trucks. One of his first tastes of the recording industry came during his high school years when he was paid $100 a day to lay down tracks at a local studio. “That’s how I spent much of my 10,000 hours developing my gift.”

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Chambers continued his music education at William Paterson University in New Jersey, where he majored in Jazz and Performance Studies. He soon found his way west to Los Angeles.

During his college years, Chambers started a company with Adam Blackstone. He has served as the musical director for Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, Maroon 5, and others. When Blackstone needed opening acts for his clients, he called on his friends.

“My relationship with Adam is how I got to play with artists such as The Roots (Jimmy Fallon’s house band), Lupe Fiasco, Jill Scott, and Vivian Green,” explained Chambers. “Later on, I worked with Dr. Dre and Eminem. Now I’m honored to perform and work with my Nashville friends like Chris Young, Tyler Rich, Jack Owen, and so many others.”

Making Music On Both Coasts

Today Chambers splits his time between the West Coast and Middle Tennessee. “I need LA as much as I need Nashville.”

Unlike other up-and-coming” Country music artists, Chambers already has a Grammy under his belt for his part in a musical composition. His writing and co-writing credits include projects with R&B and Hip-Hop artists Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Lenny Kravitz.

And similar to Southern summers, the future looks blazing hot for Chambers. A song he penned is set to be featured in an upcoming movie release, and he continues to write songs and refine his stage performances. While musicians are staying closer to home while the coronavirus subsides, you can catch him playing occasionally at Nashville establishments such as The Local and Whiskey Jam.

His singles, “Roll With It,” released in 2019 along with this year’s release, “Good Thing,” are already catching the attention of industry insiders and fans. Both are available on all the primary streaming services such as Apple and Spotify.

While everyone knows the music industry is obviously a competitive, cut-throat business, Chambers remains unfazed and is laser-focused on his upcoming projects.

“I like to show the naysayers. I don’t go for the easy. That’s why I’ll find my own way with my solo career.”

This article was originally published in Brentwood Lifestyle Magazine.