Chris Max – A Man of and for the Moment

Music is quite possibly the language of God. How else could so much emotion and understanding come from wordless sound? Us mere mortals haven’t even scratched the surface of it. – Chris Max

In the almost three years that I have been photographing, Chris Max, solo, and with his band Maxband, there are two embedded memories that I shall not forget. These may seem trivial but they are special to me.

October 24, 2020, I was on my way to Shooters in Cedar Park, Maxband was playing there. I had been photographing musicians for a little over a month. This would be my first time to capture this band. Playing on my IPhone was the song by Aerosmith, “Sweet Emotion.” I love this song. I arrived to the venue and the band was already playing. In fact, the song they were playing was, “Sweet Emotion.” They played and sang it very well. WOW!, this is neat, went through my mind.

November 7, 2020, I was at Round Rock Tavern watching Chris set up. I saw him on a ladder with a small flashlight in his mouth hooking up cables. The attentiveness to detail and just the plain hard work all musicians do prior to performing for us went through my mind. What I saw was not an action of frustration but a labor of love. The setup was just as critical as the actual performance. It was not a hassle to do so.

Chris has always been receptive and very responsive to my request for information. I am honored to present him as the first of a series, about Austin musicians, I am working on. Five simple questions I have asked. Here is his response.

1.    Who is Chris Max?

A Georgia bred, born, and raised Baptist son of the South.  Texas voyager minstrel.  Lover of songs. Strummer of strings.  Reluctant leader.  Compatriot of musical comradery.  Constant seeker of the encompassing emotion only music can bring.

2.    Tell me about your projects.

MaxBand… purveyors of Classic Rock songs of love, freedom, and inspiration.

Chris Max (and friends) acoustic balladry.

Continual (sometimes much, sometimes time-constrained) songwriting.

3.    Give me your interpretation of the Austin Music Scene of the past, present, and your hope for the future.

Past= Full time music…wonderful times

Present= Full time music…wonderful times.

Future=Dreams of the same… as long as we’re able.

4.    A.I. and music, your thoughts.

Haven’t given it any J.  Still focused on the completion of the moments and magic at hand.

5.    What is the question you are never asked?

Can you feel the music?