2024–2026

The 40th anniversary

On April 4, 2024, the Kings packed the Boulder Theater to celebrate 40 years, with Freddi Gowdy, Sam Bush, Sonny Landreth, Hazel Miller and a stage full of friends, and released their 20th album, 40: Blues With Horns Vol. II. The party is still going.

1970–1972

Where it all began

It started at Woodstock West at DU in Denver in May 1970. Through Fountain Valley School friend Will Luckey, a 17-year-old Chris hitchhiked to Martha’s Vineyard to play with Will, Tim Goodman and Bill Makepeace, doing solo shows, gigs with harp player Charlie Finnerty, and work with Kate Taylor and James Taylor’s bass player. Bassist Robert Johnson then brought him to New York to play in the David Johansen Band on Staten Island, his first professional band, a couple of months before David joined the New York Dolls. In 1972 he spent a year with Rosewood Canyon, right before Will asked him to join Magic Music.

1971–1976 and beyond

Magic Music

Chris was a founding member of Magic Music, Colorado’s first jam band. Decades later the music came back to life: new recordings starting in 2015, sessions in Los Angeles with a Magic Music “super group” featuring Scarlet Rivera, and in 2016 Lee Aronsohn (Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory) set out to make a film about the original band. 40 Years in the Making: The Magic Music Movie became an award-winning hit. Coming in 2027: the record, Music From Porcupine Flats.

1979–1984

Spoons, Dawn Patrol & Juggler

Chris formed Spoons with Sam Broussard, Greg Overton and Andy Peak, was hired by Russell Smith of The Amazing Rhythm Aces for the Dawn Patrol, and released his solo album Juggler. Then, on October 14, 1984, Chris Daniels & The Kings were born at the Blue Note in Boulder for a one-night stand. It lasted a little longer.

1984–1991

The Kings are born

The early Kings: their first video in New York City, “When You’re Cool” on Nashville Now, and Telluride Bluegrass Festival sets with Sam Bush and John Cowan.

1990–today

Europe

Since 1990 the Kings have been regulars across the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, from the German TV concert show Ohne Filter to festivals and clubs with the Bluesmasters and Jan Rybroek’s JRB.

1995–2019

Colorado & beyond

Home turf and favorite stages: Alley Tracks in Fort Collins, the Daily Camera’s 2nd Story Garage, Red Rocks, City Park, July 4th on Channel 9, the Gothic Theatre, the Mishawaka, the Boulder Theater and City Winery in New York.

2010–2015

Better Days & friends

The Better Days album brought in Richie Furay of Buffalo Springfield, Sam Bush, John Magnie, Bill Payne and Ernie Martinez, alongside eTown sessions, Jennifer Marriott’s slide-show videos and Funky to the Bone, plus the story of Chris’s fight with leukemia.

2020

What We Did

During COVID, Chris and Hazel Miller made What We Did, with Dana Marsh, Christian Teele, Greg Garrison, Kenny Passarelli, Freddi Gowdy and Big Head Todd’s Todd Park Mohr.

Sideman & the Grammys

Chris on slide, electric guitar and mandolin with Mark Oblinger, including the Grammy-nominated “Welcome to the Shake and Rumble” from Jumpin’ Jazz Kids.