A Greeley resident’s thriving music career proves dreams do come true, even for a young kid from Brighton.
The musician now works as a substitute teacher in the Greeley-Evans District 6 to spread the message to today’s youth that anyone can go from a teen playing in a garage band to opening for a band as big as Cheap Trick.
Christopher Charles Romero, who often performs under his solo artist name “Romero,” has reached a new high as a professional musician.
His fifth studio album, “Cinco De La Rocknrolla,” has received airplay on rock and country radio stations, including iHeartRadio and SiriusXM. The rise in popularity has given him opportunities to play with popular artists and bands, including Dwight Yoakam, Five Finger Death Punch, Joan Jett, Lita Ford, REO Speedwagon and more.
Now, Romero will open for Cheap Trick, Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame inductees, on Thursday at the Greeley Stampede.
“It’s kind of rare for somebody my age because I’m a little bit older than most of my peers,” he said about his songs gaining traction. “I felt like I got a second chance at this career in music, and I feel extremely grateful.”
Born and raised in Brighton, Romero started in a garage band when he was 16 years old. But his love for music “never wavered.”
That young kid from Brighton went on to have a career that spans over 25 years and counting.
Romero played with a handful of rock and heavy metal bands early in his career and then transitioned into a radio station job. Seven years ago, he became a solo artist performing under the name “Romero.”
For the past 30 years, he also has dabbled in the film industry as an actor and a music writer for TV and movies. In 1995, Romero received his first real acting gig in “Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead,” starring Andy Garcia and Christopher Walken.
Greeley feels like home
Last year, Romero and his wife moved to Greeley and immediately immersed themselves in the community. He plays guitar for the church band at Mosaic Church in Evans and started substitute teaching K-12 music and art classes in District 6.
“Coming back here has just felt like home,” Romero said. “We just fell in love with the community. I feel like I’ve been here my whole life.”
The substitute teacher job, which Romero called a “blast,” makes him excited about the future of music. Romero said it warms his heart to see children as young as kindergarten have a love and appreciation for music. He values working in a position that allows him to encourage all ages to chase their musical dreams and goals.
Before moving to Greeley, the Colorado native spent the past three years working in Nashville as a writer and producer with hobbyists and up-and-coming artists from all over the country. During this time, his free time went toward working on his own music for Romero.
As a solo artist, Romero plays guitar, bass, drums and piano on his records, on top of being the singer and songwriter. Romero played every single instrument on his most recent record “to challenge himself.”
When Romero plays live, he’s joined by other musicians, including Greeley native John DeWitt on the keyboards. The seven-piece live band, all from Colorado, plans to play music from all five of Romero’s records at the Stampede.
The band looks forward to playing on the same stage as one of their favorite bands, Cheap Trick.
Romero pulled from musical influences from his childhood — country and classic, hard and Southern rock — and incorporated those genres into his solo music. Listeners of Romero can expect to hear influences of bands from the past few decades, including Aerosmith, Van Halen, Kiss, Foo Fighters and Chris Stapleton.
Romero hopes the Stampede performance “will take the listener on a journey of my career as an artist.” As a songwriter, Romero gets personal on his records, making his music feel relatable and real to people.
“Whether in a little coffee shop or brewery … or playing somewhere like Red Rocks … that connection that you make with your audience, it’s a natural high,” he said. “If something in your music is relatable to those listening, It’s a cool feeling.”
To buy tickets to Cheap Trick with Romero, go to greeleystampede.org. Tickets start at $53.
Article From & Read More ( Local musician, substitute music teacher to open for Cheap Trick on Fourth of July at Greeley Stampede - Greeley Tribune )https://ift.tt/VinFRNE
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar