Chris Anderson
Northern Virginia Songwriter
Chris Anderson
writes refreshingly quirky songs, featuring fierce guitar leads and
complex harmonica riffs. Whether she about friendship, illness or love,
her thoughts on the human condition are honest and hopeful. Through
themes from her own life or social media or the evening news, she
articulates what many are thinking with poignancy rather than poison.
Her evocative songs are delivered with wit, wisdom and plain ol’ fun,
and her voice is sometimes compared to Mary Chapin Carpenter.
In addition to performing originals, blues, oldies, and Americana as a solo artist, Chris is a founding member of the Harried Americans Roadshow, an Americana, Contemporary Folk & Roots variety show of original smarty-pants social reform songs, poetry and comedy. The Harried Americans performance of Just Change The Boundary (The Gerrymander Song), written by Chris, is featured in a new PBS documentary, "GerryRIGGED, Turning Democracy on Its Head," produced by The Community Idea Stations and OneVirginia2021. "The Washington Post has called ending gerrymandering "the biggest ethics issue facing the state," and Chris is proud to have her song affiliated with efforts to end this corrupt practice.
Chris began playing guitar in Northern Virginia clubs in the early 1980’s. She then spent over a decade playing electric guitar and mandola in Northern Virginia church bands. She also wrote and recorded a Christian Christmas pop project, "WAiT -- it’s a Musical!", resulting in:
- A GRAMMY™ in the Streets award (2003) from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) and Broadcast Music International (BMI),
- Nationwide broadcast of entire musical on XM Satellite Radio,
- Multiple productions of the show, nationally and internationally (India, Austria, Australia, Germany, Nigeria and the Philippines.)
Chris is currently recording a new EP of originals, which will be released in the fall of 2017. She will be joined on stage by percussionist and fellow Harried American, Ron Goad, a seven time WAMMIE award winner. She is very happy to be returning to The Fredericksburg Songwriters' Showcase!
