Arts & Culture

The Vancouver-based Chris Buck Band has recently relocated to Nashville.

Photo by Emma Lee

Vancouver’s Chris Buck Band relocates to Nashville

By Jim Gordon and Leeta Liepins

Published 1:06 PDT, Fri March 18, 2022

Last Updated: 3:30 PDT, Mon April 18, 2022

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Chart-topping Canadian country music star Chris Buck recently chatted with the Our City Tonight team from his new hometown of Nashville, Tennessee.

In 2017, Buck and his band debuted their self titled album Chris Buck Band and rapidly climbed the charts with the billboard hit “That’s When You Know.” The album accumulated seven million streams as well as a CRIA-Gold certification plus a Canadian Country Music Association Award nomination for Video of the Year.

Despite being sidelined from performing live, Buck has made huge strides in his music career with many exciting announcements.

Tell us what has been happening since we last sat down for an interview with you.

While I was living up in the Okanagan, a weird number came up on my phone. I was so glad that I answered as it was an incredible opportunity. I was invited to come to Nashville and signed a worldwide-publishing deal with Anthem Entertainment. At the same time, I signed a brand-new record deal with Sakamoto Music/Warner Music Canada. I couldn’t be happier and now I have a new single coming out: “Can’t Beat the View.”

Last time we visited with you was back in April 2020, just as the pandemic was shutting down countries around the world. We talked about the future of bands like yours and artists touring. Now it is so apparent that musicians really had to find a way to reach their fan bases other than live performances. How have the last two years been for you and how (have they) affected your loyal and devoted fan base?

I’m not going to lie—it has been tough. Thank God I write my own songs and songs for other artists as well, so that has kept me going. I think that when live concerts fully return, people are going to be even more excited than ever (to attend shows) and I am excited to perform in Canada again.

You have had 13 million streams and five top 40 hits to date. It is obvious that something is definitely going right for you. Having signed with Anthem Entertainment, you are now part of a very talented roster of singer-songwriters. Tell us a few of the names you are in the company of in Nashville.

I am one of a handful of Canadians here at Anthem including Gord Bamford, Meghan Patrick, and Kelly Archer to name a few. This publishing company is very well known and (it has) had number one hits with the likes of Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, and Luke Bryan.

Being part of big American acts gives me the opportunity to write for some extremely significant (and) talented performers. I am embracing it all, taking it all in, and it is a dream come true to be working with this team. If you love live music, Nashville is the place to be. Live music is happening seven days a week—some of the best live musicians in the world perform or live in Nashville.

Chris Buck Band’s new single “Can’t Beat the View” is now available on streaming platforms, with a full album coming out later this year.

For the video interview, click here.

Jim Gordon and Leeta Liepins are contributing writers to the Richmond Sentinel.