Chris Kroeze Music artist and 2nd runner up on "The Voice"

Review: Chris Kroeze
Music artist and second runner up on 2018 show "The Voice"
Concert review by: Allen Klingelhoets

Chris Kroeze finished second on television show "The Voice" on December 18th, 2018.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Kroeze

Chris Kroeze - Wikipedia
Early life. Chris was born on January 28, 1991 in Barron, Wisconsin.At the age of six, Chris' parents bought him a guitar as an outlet for his energy. With encouragement from his dad, he started singing in middle school.
en.wikipedia.org

He did four sold out concerts at Barron Area Community Center. I went to one of his shows on February 24th, 2019. He appeared with Natalie Murphy who also had been contestant on "The Voice". The four concerts that Chris did were his first performances since being on "The Voice". I sat in second row along with Chris's Dad and Grandpa. The feeling in crowd was almost electric. Many ventured out into snowy and windy winter day for 4 PM concert. Chris used to sing solo for last couple of years. Now he had three other members to band. I graduated from high school in Barron with Chris Kroeze' mother. Chris grew up in Barron. He did many concerts at various venues. No one expected the success which he had on "The Voice". The competition on show was a different level than concerts. It was obvious though on show Chris had tremendous amount of practice. It was a pure joy to see his success on show. It was also great to see his support for finding kidnap victim from Barron Jayme Closs. He had green ribbon with his ward robe on show during performances. The green ribbon stood for kidnapped children. He showed support for area from Los Angeles during his time on "The Voice". Jayme is 13 year old child that was kidnapped from her family who lived just west of town limits of Barron. Her Mother and Father were killed and than during same moments in time Jayme was kidnapped by person that murdered her parents. Chris never forgot about his home or how deaths and kidnapping put community in turmoil. This all happened while he was on "The Voice".

Jayme was found alive on January 10th, 2019. Her kidnapper was captured by police. She spent 88 days in captivity.

Chris helped in ways which were difficult. He was in Los Angeles. He got out word to community that he was giving support even though not able to be home in Barron. Things like talks to community through media. He was just one of many ways helped keep the spark of hope alive to find Jayme.

The concert though at community center was another way that area healed from Jamie's return to new family. She would never be able to have her parents. Other relatives though have stepped in to raise child in positive environment.

The concert was in place that could seat about 500 people. Natalie Murphy opened for Chris. She could sing and also played fiddle. There was a drummer and base player. Along was Natalie's husband that also played instruments. He was also one great fiddle player. Hard to remember base player and Natalie's husbands name. There was tremendous amount of energy put of by Chris Kroeze band during almost two hour performance. The group was very interactive with audience. They had great stage presence with crowd. Chris even at times used guitar given to him by Blake Shelton after Chris finished being on "The Voice".

Chris did some cover songs. He also did demo. song "Four Letter Words" which he made down in Nashville couple of years ago. He did several songs off his new CD. He finished concert with song done during time when Jayme Closs was found and returned to family. He sang song by Paul McCartney called "Let it Be". He invited many in audience to come up front near stage as he sang final song for day. We all knew what a blessing it was to have Jayme found alive. Chris than after show along with Natalie signed autographs I had several items signed by Chris Kroeze and Natalie Murphy.

I do not know what future will bring for Chris Kroeze. He is only 28 years old. I do know though very skilled singer and guitar player. It was wonderful that he took time to return to his home town for four sold out concerts. He could have easily moved to Los Angeles or Nashville. I think though the time for him to appear at smaller venues has ended. It also was mentioned by Chris during concert that growing up it had been a dream of his to have one of his songs on the radio. This has now happened with "Four letter Words" and some of his newer material on just released album "Human" sold on his website.



Picture credit to: Ruth Anderson (Top Photo)

Photo credit: Back Roads Volume 1 @ 2019. Courtesy of NBC's The Voice. (Bottom Photo)

Allen Klingelhoets

February 26th,2019