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Listening to Chris Vaughn’s self-titled CD, I find myself thinking about the randomness of country music success. Here’s a guy who, unlike many of the big names in Nashville, writes almost all of his own songs. Vaughn creates contemporary-sounding country music that is still firmly rooted in tradition. To my ears, Vaughn’s disc is as good as what I hear on the radio. It’s closer to Dwight Yoakam than Kenny Chesney, a well-produced effort that is slick but with some serious twang as well. So why isn’t this guy on CMT? As far as potential hits, Vaughn gives us the clever and catchy “Backward” and “Out of Your Mind.” I’m playing these songs over and over again instead of tuning into the local “from the latest to the greatest” country station. I like the ode to a trucker’s life, “500 Miles,” to start the album. It’s a straight-ahead rock and roll number, a punchy attention-getter. Later in the disc comes the other barn-burner, the bluegrassy “Picture in My Mind.” The cover of Johnny Paycheck’s “In Memory of a Memory” is a perfect choice. Vaughn pours out an aching vocal of one of the best country lyrics I’ve heard lately. That song and the pretty “I Still Love You” (dig the soulful piano work) show that Vaughn can deliver a sensitive ballad. Even the song that I think gets too cute lyrically, “Material Cowgirl,” is a musical romp. And maybe I’d appreciate the tune more if I were a cowboy. I have to stress that Vaughn's band (piano in the spotlight again, this time fun and strolling) absolutely swings. I can imagine the closing track, the mid-tempo “The Wind,” being a big hit. It’s a bittersweet look at a couple who don't see eye to eye, and it has crisp drumming and a crying guitar solo. The musician who is all over this disc, whose riffs blow me away, is pedal steel player Steve Easter. Check out how he makes “Backward” (my favorite cut) absolutely cook. Anyone who wants to have a country band needs to find a guy like this. Granted, Chris Vaughn doesn’t break much new ground here, but every number is worth a listen. If you like popular country music, and you give this disc a chance, you will see that Chris merits a shot at big-time success. He’s his own man, in charge of his own sound and image, and that’s refreshing.

Chris Vaughn used to dream of travelling with a big-time country band, doing shows and playing the music he loves. Today, the Addison native's fantasies are finally becoming a reality as he tours with Clay Walker. Vaughn joined the chart-climbing band only four months ago and has already racked up considerable mileage traveling to both coasts with many concert stops in between. The 26-year old bass guitarist moved to Nashville recently to pursue a musical career. "I've been waiting for this a long time," Vaughn said of his recent success. "If I hadn't took this chance, I would have always wondered what would have happened if I had gone." Clay Walker, one of the newest up-and-coming acts on the country music scene, released his self-entitled debut album eight weeks ago and already has a top-20 hit, "What's It To You?" "Clay Walker has generated a lot of excitement," Vaughn said. "The audiences seem very receptive to our style." "It's a very energetic performance - - when you see Clay Walker in concert, you see a real show." Local country music fans will have the opportunity to see the Clay Walker band, along with Sammy Kershaw and many other acts, the weekend of Sept. 25 at the Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville as part of "Big Spring Jam." The two-day event will cost $12.50 for a weekend pass if tickets are purchased prior to Sept. 20. After the date, the charge is $15. Daily passes will be $7. Vaughn said he was fortunate to be selected as one of the seven-member band. After moving to Nashville, he was hired by songwriter Wayne Perry, who wrote Lorrie Morgan's hit "What Part Of No Don't You Understand?" Perry helped Vaughn make contacts in the business. Two weeks later, the musician got an audition for Clay Walker's band. Ironically, he now plays guitar in the band with long-time friend, Jasper native Landon Taylor, who Vaughn has known for almost 10 years. The act is featured on Giant Records in Nashville and is managed by Music Matters, the same company that manages country star Tracy Lawrence. "We owe part of our success to good management," he said. "You've got to get your name out there before the public." "Our managers told us that 'What's it to you?' is played 2,000 times every day on radio stations across the United States, even though it has only been out eight weeks." Vaughn said that the staff of Giant Records is also very professional. The Clay Walker album features 11 songs, which contain a wide variety of musical styles. "There is a lot of different sounds, some are upbeat and some are ballads," he said. "I think it is going to be very popular. "The album sold 120,000 copies during the first week it was released." Vaughn's musical aspirations began when he was 14 and a student at Addison High School. His father taught him to play guitar and he began to play at local parties. Growing up, Vaughn, who is the son of Danny and Shelba Vaughn of Addison, was influenced by both country music and bluegrass. He loved to play old George Jones songs for audiences. However, it wasn't until this year, Vaughn decided to go for broke and move to Music City. "A lot of people think Nashville is only a city of country music, but that's not true," he said. "It is very multicultural. You can find people from everywhere and every kind of music you can think of." Because of Clay Walker, Vaughn has had the opportunity to meet many of his country music idols. They recently opened in Dallas, Texas, for Alan Jackson and John Anderson. In California, the band opened for Jackson and country great Merle Haggard. Out of his favorite performers, he would most like to meet Joe Diffie and Ricky Skaggs, he said. Vaughn has also had a lot of media exposure with Clay Walker's band. They were recent guests on "Nashville Now" on TNN and "Countdown at the Neon Armadillo," a Sept. 13 special on ABC. In addition, they have played Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach, St. Louis, New York City, Orlando and countless other venues. All this is brand new to the 26-year old Addison High School graduate. "I had never travelled anywhere; now I can't believe all the places I've been in only four months," said Vaughn, who tours by bus and plane. "I love playing but getting there is the tough part." They usually arrive around 1 p.m. before a scheduled night show and wait while the equipment is set up and taken down after the show, he said. The hectic schedule usually allows sleep only while the bus rolls. Vaughn said he has a lot of faith in Clay Walker and believes he will help usher in a new generation in country music. Walker, who is only 24, is a native of Beaumont, Texas, the same city that has produced country stars Tracy Byrd and Mark Chestnutt. "Clay has a lot of talent and will do fine," Vaughn said. "In fact, the producers were so excited, they went to Texas to hear him, rather than him travelling to Nashville." Vaughn , like most country musicians, hopes to one day have his own contract. In the meantime, he is more than happy to be playing bass guitar with Clay Walker. "This really seemed to happen like a whirlwind," he said. "My dream to make a living playing professionally finally came true -- I've been looking for it for a long time."

If you were looking fro a great night of entertainment last Saturday night, you had to look no further than Hanceville's J.C. Arena. Rising Country Stars John Stone and Chris Vaughn had the crowd standing and dancing throughout the night. Chris Vayghn, along with his band Real Country, opened the night's entertainment with a set that included music from his own, self-titled CD as well as covers of current and past country stars. His stirring rendition of the old Johnny Paycheck hit "In Memory Of A Memory" was my favorite song of the night. Vaughn's pure country voice as well as the tight music provided by his band, entertained the crowd with other selections such as 500 Miles, Backward and Material Cowgirl from his new CD. The group closed their portion of the show with their own rendition of Dierks Bentley's "A Lot Of Leaving Left To Do" which left the crowd wanting to hear more from this local rising star. John Stone followed with his own brand of driving country. This rising superstar was no stranger to many of those in attendance. Stone, a native of Dogtown, Alabama, had many of his kinfolk with him at the concert, including Holly Pond's Ron Stone and his family. John Stone was just ending a promotional tour that started in Indiana, went through Alabama and ended in Nashville.

Chris Vaughn's song ( Backward ) was nominated as one of the five finalist in the Independent music awards. Listen & Show Your Support While the official judging is still underway, this year the IMAs has created an informal "Vox Populi" vote. These results will not affect the Judges' decisions but will add more punch to the marketing & promotional efforts of all the Finalists & their support teams.

With the state of country music these days, it’s often hard to find someone who’ll stand up proudly and say they play country. It’s rarer still that the person today doesn’t come from Vancouver or some such place and isn’t wearing thong panties for everyone to see. Born in Winston County, Alabama, Chris Vaughn was raised on Bluegrass and Gospel. His guitar skills led to a gig playing bass for Clay Walker. “Out of Your Mind” has some Travis Tritt-like edginess. His songs have that great, old-school George Jones wistfulness: Vaughn isn’t singing about changing diapers, like so many Nashville acts today. (Who is listening to these Mr. Mom songs? Nobody I’d ever break bread with.)

Quote: "He’s 100% devoted to good old-fashioned, old-school country music, but he’s not afraid to rise above the cliches and put his own clever spin on things." Chris Vaughn knows how to write a song. As a pure country artist with authentic twang and drawl, of course he covers songs about love and trucks and living on a farm. But I’ve never heard it put quite the way he puts it in “Material Cowgirl”: It all started when we bought this farm Then she had to have a new horse barn Bridles and saddles that cost more than my truck. She got the very best western wear uses mane and tail in her hair And now my bank account has run amok ... Sounds like the poor guy married the Bama version of Paris Hilton. And that’s what impresses me about Vaughn’s music – he’s 100% devoted to good old-fashioned, old-school country music, but he’s not afraid to rise above the cliches and put his own clever spin on things. We get the full smokin’ band, angelic harmonies, and wailing pedal steel (nice work, Steve “Rabbit” Easter), but what stands out are great lyrics like the ones in “Backward”: I sat down to write a song about me and you Always on the last line, we wind up sad and blue. I don’t like the outcome, so this is what I’ll do I’ll write this song backwards, then I won’t have to lose ... This is the real deal. Fun and foot-stomping tracks mixed with sweet, heartbreaking ballads, and a well-done cover of Johnny Paycheck’s “In Memory of a Memory,” which contains one of the best song openers in country music: “I guess I owe all the neighbors an explanation about the noise that’s coming from this old house and me.” I guess being a sharp songwriter himself, Vaughn knows a winner when he hears it.

Chris Vaughn hits the Top 10 on Cashbox Magazine Country Charts, with his original song "Backwards". The Cashbox Indie Picks are selected by Cashbox Magazine. Independently released CDs and Singles represent a growing segment of the music industry. The song choices are based on the criteria of quality songwriting, performance and production. All Indie content has been provided by IACmusic.com, the Indie Capital of the world. The song Backwards is still on the charts in Europe at #64 after 9 weeks.

Chris Vaughn jumps to #14 with a bullet on the European Country music charts. His song "Backwards" entered the charts at 95 and by the second week, it jumped to the #56 spot. As of Aug. 1st "Backwards is now sitting at the #14 position. 1 1 1 14 Peter & The Rowers. I'm Leavin 2 4 6 9 Liz Talley. Close Up The Honky Tonks. 3 5 26 3 Tim McGraw. Last Dollar (Fly Away) 4 6 2 14 Tracy Lawrence. Find Out Who Your Friends Are 5 3 3 16 Trace Adkins. Ladies Love Country Boys 6 2 4 10 Troy Cook Jr. Forgive Me Darlin 7 7 36 4 Shady Creek Outlaws. When I Was A Cowboy 8 12 12 10 Becky Hobbs. Yellow Pages Under Blue 9 15 40 4 Catherine Britt. What I Did Last Night 10 10 7 13 Billy Yates. Too Country And Proud Of It 11 13 68 4 Erin Hay. Honky Tonk Girl 12 20 23 9 Jim Owen & Ferlin Husky. Southern Lovin 13 17 13 9 Hal Willis. I Can't Leave Her Alone 14 56 95 3 Chris Vaughn. Backwards

Chris Vaughn recieved an honorable mention from the Billboard World Song Contest in recognition of having his original song composition, "BACKWARD" among the top 500 entries of the 14th annual Billboard World Song Contest . Only the highest quality songs make it to the top. This honor demonstrates the talent and dedication it takes to write a hit song.

What a year it was for Alabama singer, songwriter Chris Vaughn. His debut album "Chris Vaughn 1" racked up six # 1 songs on five different independant charts. He also scored a # 4 on iSounds.com in all genres.Chris' remake of "In Memory of a Memory" (Johnny Paycheck classic) climbed to # 18 on Soundclick in the country cover tune category, and "Out of Your Mind" shot to # 3 at Music Forte. After 20 years in the music business, Chris recieved his first record deal in 2006 with independant record label Retrac Records. His new album is due out later this year. Chris feels very fortunate to have such a great new label who believes in his vision. Chris' single " I still love you" recieved TV airplay on the PAX network in Nashville when it was featured on the Record Row Review TV show. He also appears on the TripleStrand Productions compilation album, "Country Legends in the Making", where he appears alongside country star Ed Bruce and his favorite new independant artist Kristi Warner. Chris had never entered any type of songwriting contest, but reluctantly gave in to his wife and entered the I M A songwriting contest. The single "Backward" placed in the top five in this international songwriting competition. Chris wishes to congratulate Shawn Patrick McGraw, the winner of the I M A's for his song "Fiona". 2006 was also a great year for Chris Vaughn and "Real Country's" live performances. They not only hit the honky tonks and bars, but he and his band "Real Country" helped raise money for local schools and local non-profit organizations like EASI ( Equines Assisting Special Individuals). Chris recieved airplay on countless radio and internet radio stations around the world. DJs are adding his music to their playlist daily. In summary, his "record" speaks for it's self. For an independant artist who, as Chip Winthrow of Muse's Muse puts it,"Chris merits a shot at big-time success. He’s his own man, in charge of his own sound and image", You can bet we will be hearing a lot more from this very talented artist in 2007.