Next to Firefall (1976), Chris Daniels and the Kings (1984) is the longest running band in Colorado with a founding original member. 40 years. Chris’s 20th album. Two Colorado Music Hall of Fame singers, entertainers and songwriters teaming up for their fourth album of funky mayhem since 2010. Freddi Gowdy, one-half of Colorado Music Hall of Fame inductees the Freddi-Henchi Band and the legendary hall of fame musician, music educator and former executive director of Swallow Hill, Chris Daniels.
The story of the band is best told by Chris in the 24-page booklet that accompanies this 40th year celebration of joy, love for each other and danceable funk and rhythm and blues grooves due for release on August 9th.
My personal favorites are, in no particular order, the Freddi-Henchi classics I Like Funky Music and I Like Your Shoes, the Sonny Landreth classic Congo Square and the still wonderful duet Stealin’ Candy with fellow Colorado Music Hall of Fame artist, Hazel Miller. Two other tracks that warrant serious consideration are I Need Some Good Luck Bad on the blues side and Everybody’s a Millionaire on the horn-drenched Cory Wong side of things.
I guess you could say I’m a bit biased in my praise. I’ve been a fan of Chris Daniels and the Kings, the Freddi-Henchi Band and Hazel Miller since the 80s. Chris, Freddi and Hazel have each become great friends in my life over the past twenty plus years now.
Over the years, Chris and I have done business together with me booking his band and helping him promote every album since “The Spark” and I became a guest lecturer and eventually adjunct faculty at CU Denver thanks to Chris. I’ve also had the tremendous pleasure of appearing with my band, Goatz!, along with the Kings and Hazel at the legendary Mishawaka Amphitheatre in the Poudre Canyon, outside of Fort Collins, CO.
The music on “40” brought me to tears of joyous memories of dancing to some of the greatest and most loved musical legends our state has ever produced. Congratulations Chris … what a marvelous and wonderful experience you’ve brought us all. Happy “40.”
Chris “K” Kresge / Rocky Mountain Music Network / The Colorado Playlist
Join Chris Daniels & the Kings with Freddi Gowdy appearing with the War & Treaty at the 16th Dacono Music and Spirits Festival on AUG 3.
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Chris K's Colorado Playlist 