Singer/songwriter Chris Whittington has joined forces with his long-time friend and producer, CCM pioneer Kemper Crabb, to share an ancient worship experience with their fellow Texans this Christmas season.
The Medieval Christmas Tour is based on the highly successful PBS special, Downe in Yon Forrest: Christmas from the Middle Ages, which featured both Whittington and Crabb singing lead vocals. The television attracted more than 165 million viewers nationwide.
“I really love playing the Medieval Christmas concerts. As we Interpret these 1,000-year-old
songs with nothing but our
voices and our acoustic instruments, there is always such a sense of immediacy between us and the audience,” says Whittington.
The final date of the Medieval Christmas Tour is Dec. 21 at Crosspoint Community Church in Katy, Texas. For more information, visit chriswhittington.com.
Whittington is currently promoting his new CD, Bright Portal. For more information, visit chriswhittington.com.
About Chris Whittington and Bright Portal:
Texas-based singer/songwriter Chris Whittington recently released his debut EP, Bright Portal, a collection of melodic, guitar driven tracks woven with symphonic overtures and lyrics planted in the truth of Scripture. The musician collaborated on Bright Portal with fellow Texan, CCM pioneer Kemper Crabb, known for his work with Caedmon’s Call, Radiohalo and ArkAngel. The new EP is available on amazon.com and other online retail outlets.
Chris Whittington and Kemper Crabb share the stage during the Medieval Christmas Tour date at First Baptist Garland in Garland, Texas.
Chris Whittington recently released his debut EP, Bright Portal. “My life has been a twisting path filled with surprises, but music has remained a constant,” Whittington says. “Bright Portal is a collection of all of my musical influences so far in my life, including David Bowie, Kemper Crabb, Led Zeppelin and Caedmon’s Call.”
Whittington, who has shared the stage with Crabb and Caedmon’s Call, called on Crabb to produce Bright Portal. The two met in the 1970s in a record store and became fast friends. Whittington and Crabb are both part of Colony 3, a creative community committed to learning how to think biblically about everything.
Crabb’s influence is readily apparent in both the music and lyrical content of Bright Portal. From the opening acoustic guitar strain of “Sing With All The Saints” to the lush orchestral underpinnings that close out “Fill The Temple,” the mood Whittington sets is fresh and contemporary, yet thoroughly invested in classic, traditional and even ancient musical forms. Whittington invites his listeners not only to experience the music, but also to participate in it.
“Sing With All The Saints” channels classic Byrds’ guitar licks with fuzzy, electric sitar-esque strings and beckoning mandolin, while weaving in traditional hymnody language to connect generations of worshippers to this compelling call to worship. “Coram Deo,” literally translated, “In the presence of God,” is a moody confessional, extolling the attributes of God while recognizing the shortcomings of humankind’s sinful nature.
Whittington moves effortlessly into the lovely, Irish whistle-embellished, acoustic love ballad, “Love Again.” Whittington employs a decidedly classic rock vibe on “Love Is Come,” with straight-forward electric guitars, thumping bass lines and brassy horns to underscore the message that you can’t stop love. Minor key strings usher in the reverential worship aria, “Fill The Temple,” then Whittington allows the mood to swell through judicious use of everything from solo acoustic guitar to vocal choral interludes and full-blown orchestra, and the result is nothing short of exquisite.
In addition to his musical talents, Whittington is a successful businessman. He is the founder and owner of Whittington Steel, a Texas-based steel company. Whittington and his high school sweetheart, Joanne, have four adult children: Lindsay, Lauren, John and Leigh Ann. The couple celebrates 35 years of marriage in 2014.
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