Day 17: Chris & Johnny

I remember it well: the first day I heard a song by Chris & Johnny.

On a hot summer evening in the the early 90s my brother invited my friend Pee Wee and I to join he and his friend on sailboat ride. As we made our way across Lake Minnetonka, Paul was talking about a concert he and friends had been to a few nights earlier. Soon he played portions of "Miles and Means" a CD by a group known as "Chris & Johnny". I was instantly hooked: the acoustic guitars, thoughtful lyrics and lovely harmonies connected with me deeply.

Over the next few years their music became the soundtrack to my life and live concerts at local coffee shops and other venues became a gathering place for me and my friends. So many of the stories written in their songs described my own journey and stirred emotions for the mountains. But, it was too good to last -- in 1997 the duo now known as Storyhill broke up.

The next four years there were no live shows and no new CDs but I continued to make connections with others who enjoyed their music and was introduced to more musicians who would become a regular part of my playlists. During these years friends and I also hosted some house concerts including a solo show by Chris of Storyhill. Also during this time my friend Carla and I made a summer road trip to Montana breathed in Absaroka air and gazed at Mary on the Mountain.

Then, the unthinkable happened: Chris & Johnny reunited for a concert in 2001. It was so great to see them play live again! And, over the next few years, opened the door for me to introduce more friends to this music that I love. Their songs continued to connect to events in my life: Steady On for my marathon in 2002 and Inside Emotion for my move to Philly in 2005 and Blazing Out of Sight for my love of putting my dirty feet on car dashes. And, I've been able to see Chris & Johnny concerts in venues across the country: in LA with my brother, Chicago with Carla, NYC with Kym & Becky and others, Philly with friends from PA, and a few times in Montana as well.

Yes, I remember the day I first heard Chris & Johnny... how many bands can you say that about?

"I've been letting things slide by me

And I've been trying too hard to get by too easy

But this morning when my room was only sunshine

I think I finally made up my mind

I'm headed back home again

On this empty highway

Gonna take in that clear Absaroka air

And let it take my breath away

And I've had a hard time believing

In all the things that give me life

So I've been trying to find some meaning

Some words of wisdom to move my wrongs into rights

But if faith can move a mountain

Tell me, what's gonna move my faith?

But I believe in that clear Absaroka air

cause it takes my breath away."

Absaroka Air

Storyhill