Soul on Fire

We chat with local singer/songwriter + influential speaker Chris Hendricks.

“Be creative. Be real. Be connected. Be healed.” So goes the MO for local musician and transformational speaker Chris Hendricks, who’s been in the biz for over a decade, sharing the stage with artists such as Delta Rae, Amy Grant and Daughtry. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of 4, Hendricks touts a unique perspective on leadership, success, creativity and self-worth—which he has shared with the world through music, spoken word and personal stories.

To wit, the influential creative’s belief in human potential and the gift of sound has allowed him to reach a wide audience from all walks of life, bringing love back into schools, law firms and major corporations. (Fun fact: Caniacs may also remember his song “Noise” as the Carolina Hurricanes’ 2011–12 season pregame song.) With the release of new music, podcasts, live performances and more, Hendricks’ important message of possibility and creativity continues to resonate with global audiences.

In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we caught up with the singer-songwriter ahead of the release of his seven-song EP for insight on his sound, future goals and championing of disability-inclusion awareness. 

How and when did you discover your love of music?

Most would say I started singing and performing at the age of 4. If you cornered my mom on the street she would tell you that I started singing in the womb. My dad is a singer/performer and he raised me on country and bluegrass. He would perform for his friends and family right outside our house on the deck. When I was 4 or 5 I remember trying to sneak out of my bed just to listen to him sing. Right around 5 years old, I heard my dad sing a song called “Aimee” by the Pure Prairie League and I was hooked. My dad had this incredible ability to hypnotize an audience with his voice and his humor. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to capture the hearts and minds of audiences for the rest of my life. I wouldn’t start writing my own music until I was a senior in college, but the truth is I got really lucky. No matter how fast we want our dreams to take shape, they always seem to form on their own timeline. 

What kind of message do you hope to send with your music?

I’m here to break glass ceilings in music and in business for people with conditions like me. Don’t get me wrong, I know I’m standing on the shoulders of giants. I’m not the first person with a disability to make an impact using music—I know there’s room for me in the industry somewhere. At the end of the day, you have to make your mark by being undeniable. I have no delusions and no one owes me anything. I’m here to earn my spot by putting my art and my songwriting first. Any message that speaks to the value of people with disabilities will fall on deaf ears if it ever overshadows the craft and creativity that helps true artists stand out in the first place.

As far as messages in my songs go, it really depends on the song. Life is a rollercoaster of emotions and I’m here to tell stories that serve those emotions. I write because it’s cathartic for me—and, if I’m lucky, the songs will connect with and heal other people too in their own way. The best thing to me about music is that you can keep it and give it away to the world at the same time. 

How do you champion disability inclusion through your music?

Disability is often considered ‘the forgotten D’ in diversity, equity and inclusion. The great thing about being an artist/creative of any kind is that you can champion inclusion simply by stepping out of the shadows and being yourself. If you’re courageous enough to put your art out there, you immediately represent what’s possible. With any luck, people will see themselves in what you do, and might find the courage to do the same. 

What has been your biggest achievement in the music world to date?

A few months ago I was boarding a plane to speak at a conference in Florida. While I was waiting to board the plane, one of the flight attendants came up to me and said, ‘I know who you are—you’re Chris Hendricks! I saw you perform when I was in middle school and you inspired me to follow my dreams and become an airline pilot. I just upgraded your ticket to first class!’ In that moment, I learned two things. One: I’m getting older. Two: Making an impact on one person’s life feels way bigger than any performance opportunity or music award I could ever hope for. 

What are some of your future goals?

As far as what the future holds, I’m taking it one step at a time. I consider myself a recording artist first, and a professional advocate/transformational speaker second. I would like to re-release my first album properly, I’d like to finish my next seven-song EP sooner than later, and I’d like to travel and speak to companies and community leaders around the world showing them the value of persons with disabilities using music. All that would be great, but mostly I just want to be a good father to my 6-year-old daughter. I think the best thing I can do for her is show her that dreams are worth fighting for. With enough hard work, you can take care of your family and do what you love at the same time. 

What can you tell us about your new music?

The new album doesn’t have a date yet, BUT many of the new songs are finished or at least 90% complete. With age comes more experience and, hopefully, more wisdom. The new seven-song EP should be a more mature and gritty musical exploration. While my first albums represented a lot of hope, I think it also came across as somewhat naive. The new music is a mix of hope and harsh reality. The mature themes are still held together by my singer-songwriter background, but they’re driven by country/blues influences built around a modern R&B/hip-hop production style. 

What advice would you give to others living with cerebral palsy or another disability who want to get into music?

Anyone with a disability wanting to get into music should put their music first. It’s fine to feel empowered and driven by your condition/disability, but the message has to take a backseat. Let your talent do the talking and your message of empowerment will shine through. However, if you let your message overshadow your art, whatever you’re trying to say will fall on deaf ears. In other words, let your creativity speak for itself. Your disability (visible or not) will help you stand out. Give your music the spotlight, and the rest will take care of itself.