Discover Christopher Forgione

Around the age of 11, Chris was given his first guitar but never played it. Several years would pass before he bought a Fender Stratocaster and began to play. Chris studied the sounds of Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix and B.B. King until he developed his own unique sound and style. By far, his biggest musical influence is Eric Clapton. In a short time, Chris was sharing the stage with many seasoned blues guitar players, including some members of Foghat, and the legendary César Diaz, and was gaining exposure in the local music scene. Chris played in many bands including Outside the Wall, a premiere Pink Floyd tribute band, along with Gary Wehrkamp of the band Shadow Gallery. On stage, Chris uses a custom Eric Clapton or Buddy Guy Stratocaster through a Fender Tweed Pro, Soldano SLO 30 or Tweed Blues Jr. for smaller venues. His effects are limited to a Leslie Simulator, and a Jim Dunlop or Vox wah wah pedal. His interests include collecting guitars and amplifiers, watches, F1 racing, fishing, going to concerts and sports cars. He lives in Naples, FL.

”For as far back as I can remember, music has always had a profound impact on my life. As you may or may not know, I’m a guitarist and artist, a rookie songwriter. I prefer to play the blues but can play some good ol’ rock and roll too. Eric Clapton has by far been my biggest influence when it comes to playing the guitar. His phrasing, feel, and emotion is unmatched and in my opinion, unparalleled. He is regarded as one of the best, if not the best in the world, that is some feat.  He may not be the fastest player or the most technical but his musicality and ear make him who he is, a true artist, innovator and creator. There may never be another like him…ever. I’ve been lucky to see him live many times, and even with Cream (reunion), Steve Winwood, Jeff Beck and at two of his Crossroads guitar festivals.  Many of the greats have now passed, Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, and Jeff Beck. May they RIP and their music and legacy live on. Legends. 

My father Joe was/is a drummer and artist, an incredible painter but always listened to music when I was growing up, (he still has a drum set to this day). He had knowledge of bands, and musicians from the 60’s and 70’s and even knew a few of them. My family on my father’s side is full of artists, painters, sculptors, musicians, all truly talented people. I was blessed to be born into this royalty, if you will. My uncle Tony Forgione has his art work all over the world and has a sculpture on permanent display in Buckingham palace (I have a copy). He has met Queen Elizabeth, Bob Hope, and I even have a thank you letter (copy) from the Vatican and Pope John Paul II. Sofia, my daughter is a very talented musician, percussionist, sketch artist, and she sings and performs on occasion. To say music and art runs in my or our blood is an understatement. I don’t have many regrets, but I guess I could admit one could be that I didn’t pursue music with a passion when I was much younger. But that’s in the past, I’ve learned to live for today and plan for tomorrow. 

I remember when I was about 13 or 14 years old, at least I think it was around then, early 90’s possibly. My uncle Chris had a big record/CD collection and a great sound system in his home on Long Island. When we would visit, he would always have some great music playing, today it would be considered classic rock. So one visit, he was playing songs from a recent EC release, Journeyman. He even made my father a mix-tape of songs from that album but also included can’t find my home, and presence of the lord from Blind Faith. My father would play this cassette in the car on the way home and probably several hundred more times when we would take drives, vacations, family holidays etc. This music would change and shape my life. I believe this mix-tape was the single catapult that threw me into the world of Clapton, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominos, Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd, and of course the blues. I remember my uncle was a big Floyd fan.. Years later, I had a stint in a Pink Floyd tribute band for a couple of years. Truly magical and wonderful to play with Gary, Sean and Mark, amongst many others in the project. My musical journey really started to take shape when I would attend open mic nights and bring my light blue Fender Stratocaster and little or sometimes quite large Fender amplifier, and wah-wah pedal. The wah-wah pedal is like an American Express, you can’t leave home without it.  There was a little coffee shop/cafe that had a blues night and I would go and mostly listen but I did start to play here and there. Eventually, I’d get to play with Erik Courtwright of the band Foghat, and the late great Cesar Diaz .