MUSIC AUDITIONS
POP
NEW YORK, USA
04-04-2025 18:07 GMT
Chris Oledude
Current Score: ★☆☆☆☆ ☆☆
"I want to get signed. "
People also searched for: Roland DS-10, Gil Scott-Heron
Biography:
Chris is a "boomer" and proud of it. He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico -- when Dwight D. Eisenhower was President of these United States -- to a music-teaching mother and a librarian-turned-politician father.
Growing up in Brooklyn, NY, Chris Owens and his two brothers, Geoffrey and Mitty, could have been a folk or classical ensemble. Each brother played a stringed instrument, percussion and sang. But they also liked to rock ... and pop ... and funk. So, Geoffrey learned guitar (but still plays viola), Chris traded in the piano, clarinet and cello for an electronic keyboard (but still plays recorders), violinist Millard focused on percussion – and, to start with, they all embraced the Jackson 5 and The Beatles!
During college, Chris focused on cover tunes with a dance band, Rhythm Company. After graduating in 1982, however, he started writing songs and performing solo and as a duo with Geoffrey. Back then, the streets of New York City were full of musicians sharing their talents in the open air … and with an open guitar case to accept your coins and bills.
In 1984, Chris Owens released his album-length compilation of songs, Anyone’s Revolution, which harnessed Chris' frustration with the policies of the Reagan years. Shortly after AR’s release, Chris joined the People’s Music Network for Songs of Freedom & Struggle and was encouraged to continue his “political” songwriting by family friend Pete Seeger, among others. Pete also introduced Chris to singer-songwriter Judy Gorman, and they went on to co-lead the band Midnight Landing. Their performances took place at cultural and political events, including an opening slot for Richie Havens at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park. Today, Chris remains an active PMN member.
Chris has performed solo, with his own bands, and with other singer-songwriters and choruses. Chris formed OBB - The Owens Brothers Band in 2014, following the deaths within three months of his father, Congressman Major Owens (D-Brooklyn, NY), South African President and freedom fighter Nelson Mandela, and the one and only Pete Seeger. OBB made its debut during "SeegerFest" at several venues, including Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park (NY) and The Bardavon Opera House in Poughkeepsie, NY.
COVID-19 has now created a new world, for better or for worse. Having lost his wife of 28 years to cancer in 2019, Chris decided that COVID needed to create new lives, not just terrorize and take lives. Furthermore, now that the internet rules the arts, it was clear that there are too many performers named "Chris Owens”!
Thus, Chris Oledude was born. With the 2020 recording and release of the original version of "My Tower," Chris Oledude started a new chapter in his life with an "old school" blend of blues, gospel, R&B, rock ... and Broadway. "My Tower" is a catchy condemnation of COVID-19.
“My Tower” was followed by “George Floyd”, written in the aftermath of Mr. Floyd’s murder. A video was created, “George Floyd: Say Their Names”. To Oledude’s surprise, his first music video was accepted and reviewed by some 300 film festivals and earned 150 accolades, including “Best Music Video”, “Best Song”, “Best Short Film”, “Best Director”, and more.
Chris Oledude will be releasing two albums in 2025: PREACHER MAN - VOL. 1 and LOVER BOY - VOL. 1. These collections will include original songs written years ago as well as songs written today.
Kicking off the compilation of PREACHER MAN, Chris Oledude has released the rollicking “Orange Blues 24” with an accompanying video from Alyssa Dann, the same award-winning young director who made “George Floyd: Say Their Names.”
Chris Oledude's music has always blended original melodies and rhythms with hot solos, harmonies and topical lyrics to create powerful and memorable songs. Songs like “Man O’War,” “If A Woman Had Made The World”, and “Love Is The Way” are compelling and danceable social statements, while "Black-Eyed Susan" is a ballad like no other. There’s so much music to share and it will all be happening during the next 12 months.
Enjoy!
Career Goals | Objectives:
To get signed and get international distribution
Music Education | Training | Qualifications:
Yes.
Musical Instruments | Studio Equipment:
Roland DS-10, MuseScore
Influences | Sounds Like:
Gil Scott-Heron, John Lennon, Mandrill, George Clinton
Live Performance History | Residencies | Touring Experience:
Yes. Five shows (both as lead and as a band member).