The boy can rock

Chris Cayzer admits that his inspiration to start playing the guitar was listening to John Mayer's first album, Room For Squares.The Star Records artist, who launched his eponymously-titled debut album recently, also counts among his

By Aprylle Liabres (Contributor)

Published: Tue 19 Sep 2006, 12:07 PM

Last updated: Sat 4 Apr 2015, 4:55 PM

other musical influences Rob Thomas, Matchbox 20, James Taylor and Kenny Rankin. His father, who was a big fan of George Benson, James Taylor, Lee Ritenour and Kenny Rankin, taught him how to appreciate jazz music, and this influenced Chris's musical taste.

Born Christopher Ashley Luke Araneta Cayzer to Filipino parents Khristine and Reggie, Chris grew up in Brisbane, Australia. Living in Australia for most of his life shaped a large part of Chris's identity. Although he grew up in a foreign country, Chris's Filipino parents made sure that he grew up with Filipino values, such as close family ties and respect for elders.

Close family ties were what encouraged him to pursue his musical career in the first place. “I really started to learn more about myself when I started expressing myself through music,” says Chris. “My family has always supported me in everything I have done, especially my music. In fact, my parents bought me my first guitar for my 16th birthday.”

Although he has other interests, such as basketball and rugby (football), music remains to be Chris's real passion. Being given the opportunity by Star Records to pursue a recording career was a dream come true for Chris, who also has a featured role in Bituing Walang Ningning as one of the members of Dorina Pineda's (Sarah Geronimo) back-up band.

He also strayed into the movies via a featured role in Close To You, the hit romantic comedy that starred Bea Alonzo, John Lloyd Cruz and Sam Milby.

Chris's first CD contains six cuts—I Got You, Midsummer Love Affair, Dream Away, Holding Out, Stay and All I Dream About—and two bonus cuts, acoustic versions of I Got You and Holding Out, which have been described as “romantic ballads that will pull some heart strings”. Chris will soon be launching a promo tour to promote the album.

People have noted that there is a lot of emotion not only in Chris's song writing, but also in the way he performs his songs. He puts so much of himself into his music. Although he is still young, he is very focused when it comes to his music.