ARTISTS | BANDS | INFO | BOOK NOW
Vocals / Guitar
Chris Bender is a versatile solo performer and bandleader with over 35 years of experience in the music industry. Growing up in Southern California, he developed an early passion for guitar, heavily influenced by artists like ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, and Neil Young. Chris’s love for music started in childhood, playing along with the radio and performing in high school bands. His breakthrough came in the early 1990s, when he started performing solo and honed his skills using a PA system. As a member of the band Fastback, Chris expanded his musical range, blending blues, rock, alternative, and folk into their performances, with a 2004 CD release to their name.
One of the most defining moments of Chris's career came when he embraced the Loop Pedal, which revolutionized his live performances. The pedal allowed him to incorporate complex layers of guitar, lead lines, and harmonica into his solo sets, turning him into a more accomplished player and performer. Over his career, Chris has played more than 2,000 gigs, including a 20-year residency at the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley, Utah. He’s also performed at numerous outdoor festivals and venues, both solo and with his band Fastback.
Beyond music, Chris is an avid outdoor enthusiast. Skiing and snowboarding are his winter passions, and during the warmer months, he enjoys surfing, mountain biking, skateboarding, and golfing. Having moved to Steamboat, Colorado, in 1984 to pursue freestyle skiing, Chris later settled in Park City, Utah, where he continues to call home. With his broad musical experience and high-energy performances, Chris is a dedicated professional who brings 110% to every gig.
