(August 10, 2023) Chris Crain is a man determined not to be defined or corralled by what could be viewed as limits. Crain was born with a condition called Brachial Plexus Palsy. The brachial plexus, or network of nerves that send signals from the spine to the shoulders, arms, and hands, are stretched, compressed, or torn away from the spinal cord. In severe cases, those suffering from the condition can experience symptoms ranging from weakness or inability to use certain muscles in their arm and hand, complete lack of feeling or movement in the arm to severe pain.
Crain overcame Brachial Plexus Palsy and became a much sought after drummer and pianist at churches, and also worked with a variety of artists, including Mark Kibble, Marva King and Eric Roberson as a lead and background singer, session musician and producer.
(August 10, 2023) Chris Crain is a man determined not to be defined or corralled by what could be viewed as limits. Crain was born with a condition called Brachial Plexus Palsy. The brachial plexus, or network of nerves that send signals from the spine to the shoulders, arms, and hands, are stretched, compressed, or torn away from the spinal cord. In severe cases, those suffering from the condition can experience symptoms ranging from weakness or inability to use certain muscles in their arm and hand, complete lack of feeling or movement in the arm to severe pain.
Crain overcame Brachial Plexus Palsy and became a much sought after drummer and pianist at churches, and also worked with a variety of artists, including Mark Kibble, Marva King and Eric Roberson as a lead and background singer, session musician and producer.
Crain puts all that experience to good use on his new jam called “Stay” (feat. Eric Roberson). “Stay” is a funky, brassy ditty that finds Crain declaring his desire to make sure that the woman who transformed his life remains in his life. If you find yourself pining for all the great bands – whether it was a rock/pop band like Chicago or a funk band like Parliament – that had tight horn sections and a brassy response to the lyrics, then you are going to absolutely dig this song.
Vocally, the Crain/Roberson pairing soulfully fuses the elements of the mid-tempo R&B love song with influences and flourishes from the Black church. You can hear it in the call and response between the lead singer backing vocalist on each verse.
If you have not heard of Chris Crain, then “Stay” can leave you with the sense that the arrival of such a talented artist was inevitable. However, Crain his rise was anything but inevitable. He acknowledges having moments of doubt, anger, and insecurity as a young person dealing medical condition. Music became his saving grace and now he also works as a music educator, mentoring and inspiring young people through his music camp and foundation. Check out Chris Crain’s “Stay” here.
By Howard Dukes
Chris Crain feat. Eric Roberson
"Stay"