Chris Madsen (born February 23, 1954) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, teacher, and writer from Vernon, British Columbia.
Career Madsen began playing the guitar at age six. At 24, he was voted "Most Advanced Guitarist" by The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and Yamaha International; in 1973 he became Yamaha's head of course development, teaching guitar workshops across Canada and heading the guitar department at the company's Vancouver school. In 1980 Madsen was presented the National Performance Award for Guitar Teachers, and in 1982 the Distinguished Teacher Award for Canada. He has written fifteen books on musical technique. Eventually he moved with his family to the countryside near Vernon, where he and his wife raised two children.
Madsen has twice been recognized with awards from the BCIMA (British Columbia Indie Music Award).Diamond, Nenari (5 May 2011). "(News) BCIMA's Have Got a Way - Chris Madsen Winner of BCIMA Instrumental Recording of the Year". Gonzo Online. BCIMA Honour Roll (23 April 2011) Chris Madsen Winner of the 2011 BCIMA Instrumental Recording of the Year for Song of the Troubadour Froneman, Kristin (27 April 2011). "(Article) Big Night Out For Music (including mention of Chris Madsen being the winner for Instrumental Recording of the year and quotes from Chris". Vernon Morning Star.Froneman, Kristin (27 March 2011). "(Article) Award Nods go to Familiar and New Faces (including mention of Chris Madsen being nominated for Instrumental Album of the year)". Vernon Morning Star.Tree Brewing Presents (20 September 2007). "(Press Release) 2007 Okanagan Music Award Nominees (in which Chris Madsen is nominated and subsequently wins for Instrumental Group or Artist of the Year.
Madsen released his album Black and White in 1983.Canonical, Waxidermy (16 September 2007). "(Review) Chris Madsen - In Black and White. He subsequently opened the Chris Madsen Music School in Vernon, which was in business from 1992 until 2010. The school employed 14 teachers and had over 350 students. Madsen, along with Tim Reardon, founded the Music Educators Institute (MEI)Strandberg, Diane (28 January 2010). "(Article) Learning from Virtual Teachers(article speaking of Music Educators Institute (MEI)) ". The Tri-City News. in 1995.
Spiritual interests After the release of his album, Over the Years in 2001, Madsen's official comebackFroneman, Kristin (18 September 2004). "(Article) Guitarist Finds Way Back to the Stage". Vernon Morning Star.Brady, Cara (31 October 2009). "(Article) Guitarist Reawakens as Troubadour". Vernon Morning Star. album in 2007, Seagull in Flight, won him the BCIMA(British Columbia Indie Music Award) "Instrumental Group or Artist of the Year" award. His 10 albums released in 2010, including Carfirmation, Guided Meditations, and There's a World, engage in issues of spiritual consciousness.
In 2006, Madsen began and is the current director of the Body Soul Wellness Faire,Smith, Jennifer (4 March 2011). "(Article) Faire wakens community to soulful wellness options. Vernon Morning Star. a semi-annual interactive gathering devoted to physical and spiritual wellness. This wellness faire was featured on CHBC news in March 2011 and October 2011. CHBC Features Wellness Faire
In March 2010, Madsen gave a spiritual workshop on the Infinite Sea of Possibilities<ref name="Sea">Staff, Writer (4 March 2010). "(Press Release) Workshop Looks at 'Infinite Sea of Possibility'''. Vernon Morning Star.</ref> at the Okanagan Centre for Spiritual Living in Vernon. On 20 August 2010, Madsen performed a concert at the Powerhouse Theatre in Vernon for the homelessFroneman, Kristin (17 August 2010). "(Article) Guitarist Plays for Homeless". Vernon Morning Star. and on 13 May 2011, he performed once more at the same theatre alongside his former guitar student, Canadian Artist Jodi Pederson,Diamond, Nenari (9 June 2011). "(Article) She Gets No Sleep - Article on Jodi Pederson (with Chris Madsen). Gonzo Online. in a concert to help benefit the local woman's centre.
Madsen is also the author of the 2010 book and screenplay entitled Song of the Troubadour, a metaphysical romance novel set in medieval times. The album by this name won the 2011 BCIMA "Instrumental Recording of the Year" award. Madsen's 2011 album, Shoreline of the Heart'', is under submission review for the 2012 Juno Award.
Discography 1983 – Black and White 2001 – Over the Years 2007 – Seagull in Flight 2010 – Instrumental Guitar Volume One 2010 – Instrumental Guitar Volume Two 2010 – Swamp Water Blues 2010 – Carfirmations 2010 – When Love Speaks 2010 – There's a World 2010 – Song of the Troubadour 2010 – Guided Meditations 2010 – Native Flute 2010 – Christmas Guitar 2011 – Shoreline of the Heart
Awards and recognition 1983 — Most Advanced Guitarist by Yamaha/Toronto Conservatory, "Taste of Spain" 2007 — BCIMA (British Columbia Indie Music Award) "Instrumental Group or Artist of the Year", "Seagull in Flight" 2011 — BCIMA (British Columbia Indie Music Award) "Instrumental Recording of the Year", "Song of the Troubadour"
References
External links The Official Chris Madsen Website Chris Madsen Online Chris Madsen at CBC Radio Chris Madsen's Song of the Troubadour sketches by featured artist Destanne Morris Chris Madsen at Billboard.com Chris Madsen at Music Educators Institute Chris Madsen at Body Soul Wellness Faire Chris Madsen at Kelowna Wellness Faire Chris Madsen Music School