Chris Hersch
| Chris Hersch | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 1982 |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar, banjo |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | Lonesome Day |
| Website |
www |
Chris Hersch (born 1982, in Orefield, Pennsylvania) is a Boston-based guitarist.
Education
Chris Hersch attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston from 2000 to 2004, where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Guitar Performance and a concentration in Music Education. While at NEC, his principal teachers were John Abercrombie, Ben Monder, Jerry Bergonzi, John McNeil, and Steve Lacey. Hersch also began studying banjo and American Roots music at NEC, resulting in his senior recital being split between banjo and guitar.
Teaching
From 2004 to 2012, Chris Hersch taught guitar, banjo, and general music at many schools in the Boston area: Powers Music School (Belmont, Massachusetts), Cape Cod Conservatory (Falmouth MA), Community Music Center of Boston (Boston), Brookline Music School (Brookline, Mass), and BU High School (Boston). Through the CMCB Outreach Program, he taught K–5 general music classes in Boston Public Schools; these classes would not have had music otherwise. Also during that time, Hersch served as Chair of the Guitar Department at Powers Music School. He still teaches privately in the Boston area.
Performance
Chris Hersch performs many styles on guitar: jazz, Country, Western Swing, Bluegrass, Oldtime, Rockabilly, Blues, and Rock n Roll.
In 2010, Hersch joined Girls Guns and Glory as the lead guitar player; he travels the USA and Europe performing with GGG. He also freelances in the Boston area.
Other notable performances by Hersch include: The National Anthem at Gillette Stadium (Foxboro MA, 2012), Bristol Rhythm and Roots Festival (Bristol, Tennessee, 2012), SXSW (Austin, Texas, 2010), Equi Blues Festival (Saint Agreve, France, 2011), and multiple tours in England, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, Germany, and the USA.
Accolades
In 2011, Chris Hersch, with Girls Guns and Glory, won the Boston Music Award for 'Best Americana Act of the Year' and the French Country Music Award for 'Independent Artist of the Year'.
In 2013, Chris Hersch, with Girls Guns and Glory, won the Boston Music Awards for 'Best Americana Act of the Year'
In 2013, Hersch was voted by American Roots Magazine as #19 Best Roots Guitar Player, which also ranked Girls Guns and Glory #35 on their list of Best Bands Right Now.
In 2014, Rolling Stone Magazine selects Girls Guns and Glory (w/Hersch) in 'Ten New Artists You Need to Know' (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/new-country-artists-2014-20141010/girls-guns-and-glory-20141010)