Speaking & Hosting

Bring the Room
to Your Stage

Twenty years of hosting Nashville's songwriter stage, twenty years of finding out what makes a room actually listen. Chris brings that same energy to festivals, conferences, and events as an emcee and speaker.

New Offering

Listening Room On the Road

Chris brings 3–4 songwriters to your city for a night that runs like a live episode of Stories Behind the Songs — a mini podcast-style conversation with the writers, followed by a full in-the-round performance. Already brought to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, with more cities on the way.

Bring It to Your City

Speaking Topics

A few places Chris's story tends to land — happy to tailor to your event.

01
Building a Room People Actually Show Up For
How The Listening Room turned a simple idea — let people actually hear the music — into a 20-year Nashville institution.
02
Entrepreneurship Beyond the First Business
Lessons from building a portfolio of hospitality and entertainment ventures, not just one.
03
Hospitality as a Growth Strategy
Why "discovery, not display" builds longer-term loyalty than louder, flashier hospitality.
04
Faith, Family, and Building a Business That Lasts
Running multiple companies without losing sight of what actually matters.
05
What Hard Work Actually Pays Off
An honest talk on getting through real struggles, and what motivation and work ethic look like on the other side of them.
On That Stage

A few recent rooms Chris has hosted or spoken from.

10 Years Running
St. Augustine Songwriters Festival
Main MC for the festival for 10 consecutive years.
3 Years Running
Boots on the Water Cruise
Main MC for all songwriter shows at sea, introducing major artists for 3 years.
2 Years Running
CMA Fest
On the ground at CMA Fest for 2 years, interviewing artists for Stories Behind the Songs.
March 2026
Ryman Auditorium
Hosted The Listening Room's sold-out 20th anniversary show, featuring HARDY, Blessing Offor, Jo Dee Messina, and a run of surprise guests.
Book Chris

Tell me about your event — the more detail, the faster you'll hear back with availability and a rate.

The form below sends straight to Chris's inbox.