Local Artist Connection: Chris Maloney
Local Artist Connection: Chris Maloney
Playing in bars before he could legally be in one, Chris Maloney takes his lifelong love of music and makes it a full-time gig; Find him Sundays at Villaggio
As the entertainment industry starts making a comeback, after being silenced for over two years, we are going to feature local artists from time to time to highlight their music and the venues who give these artists the footing they need to get back in front of an audience.
For our first feature, we caught up with Chris Maloney, an acoustic singer that has been entertaining patrons during dinner, brunch or maybe just a casual drink to unwind. You can find him every Sunday evening at Villaggio in Ellicottville starting at 5:30pm.
Maloney has been playing and singing for most of his life and enjoys the connections that he makes with the people who come out to hear him.
Born in Buffalo, Chris’s Mom and Dad moved the family to Texas when he was about one year old. Moving back for his high school years, he and his parents are staying for good. Telling Chris how I and my husband are both “transplants” from Ohio and Pennsylvania since 1986, we both understood why we call this area home. There’s no place like WNY.
We LOVE our music here. Any and all types. Which is why Chris is a perfect fit to start our new feature. “I don’t have a favorite genre,” said the singer. “I just love it all and get such a kick out of playing for people and making my show different every night. I’ve been doing this for many years and I can read the audience enough to know what they would like to listen to, and that’s a great feeling.”
Asking him if he writes or records his own music he replied, “I do write and record music, but it is mostly just for me. I haven’t really put any of it out there for people to hear.”
Chris was a lot of fun to talk to and I am excited to bring you our conversation. Since Christmas is right around the corner, we had a little fun talking about some of his favorite things about the holiday, as you will read here.
So over the holidays, take some time to unwind and go listen to Chris. Make sure to stop by and say hello to him. He would love that. Merry Christmas everyone!
A CONVERSATION WITH CHRIS MALONEY
HULICK: How long have you been performing?
MALONEY: About 30 years now.
HULICK: Do you do this full-time?
MALONEY: Yes.
HULICK: Right now you are currently playing at Villaggio in Ellicottville. Do you play other venues in the WNY area?
MALONEY: Well I play at Villaggio every Sunday night from 5:30-8:30pm. I’m from Elma and I play a lot around there, Buffalo and the suburbs. Over the summer I do the Grand Lady, which is out behind RiverWorks. It’s a tour boat that has dinner cruises and brunch cruises.
HULICK: What type of music to do?
MALONEY: I’m known for playing covers of all genres of music acoustically. My sets are always different. I take my cue from the type of audience I am playing for. Doing this for so many years, I get a feel of what they like. If it’s an older crowd I’ll typically do some Paul Simon, Jim Croce and James Taylor. If it’s a younger crowd I’ll do some Dave Matthews and Bruno Mars.
HULICK: Have you always been interested in music?
MALONEY: Yes, ever since I was a teenager I was playing in bands out in bars before I was old enough to be in a bar. Music has always been my outlet and it’s kind of a neat thing that I share that with other acoustic artists who consider music their outlet.
HULICK: Covid really disrupted the entertainment industry …
MALONEY: Yes it has been really difficult. It’s been really rough on the venues where we played as well. All of our hands have been tied. I’m just thankful to be getting back at it.
HULICK: Who were your musical influences?
MALONEY: My Dad is at the top of the list. He played and sang and I just wanted to be like him. My other influences growing up were Paul Simon, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Michael Jackson, as a kid. Then more and more influences as I got older. Being inspired and influenced by music is an ongoing thing for me. I find or write something new everyday.
HULICK: Let’s talk Christmas! With it being right around the corner, let’s have a little fun. Where will you be spending Christmas?
MALONEY: We always go to my parents’ house.
HULICK: Do you have a favorite holiday food or recipe?
MALONEY: We always do the turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
HULICK: What was your favorite gift as a child or an adult?
MALONEY: Wow … that’s a great question! I would say my favorite gift came a little later in life and my sister got it for me. It was an autobiography of Bob Dylan. I was really in a big Bob Dylan phase at the time and at that time my sister lived in Pittsburgh, so she wouldn’t have known that connection and somehow she got that book for me. I guess that was more emotional for me than anything. It was a good book by the way!
HULICK: What is your favorite Christmas carol and Christmas song?
MALONEY: My favorite Christmas carol is Little Drummer Boy and my favorite Christmas song is called “A Christmas Song” by Dave Matthews. It’s just a beautiful song.
HULICK: Thanks for spending some time with me. Merry Christmas Chris!
MALONEY: It’s been a pleasure Melanie. Merry Christmas to you and all your readers.
Follow Chris on Facebook for a schedule of his upcoming performances.