Country artist to ‘play
it loud’
By Jenny Jones
Staff
Writer
One day, a friend picked Chris Cagle up from the
airport. Cagle could tell something was wrong, and after the friend
explained that his wife was upset with him, Cagle, a famous country
performer, pulled out his guitar to help.
"We have a hour and 45 minutes to get you out of
the doghouse," he said.
The song that resulted from this situation, eventually
titled "Ton of Love," not only succeeded in mending the relationship
between Cagle's friend and his friend’s wife, but also made it
into a CD that Cagle was working on.
Often writing about his own experiences and the
experiences he has witnessed with others, Cagle, who will be performing
Friday at the Elliott Hall of Music, said he works to deliver an emotional
package with his music.
Cagle’s interest in performing began during
a fourth grade talent show when he received a standing ovation after
singing "Greased Lightning," from the movie "Grease."
"That's kind of when I got the bug," he said.
With influences such as Lynryd Skynyrd, the Doobie
Brothers and the Eagles, Cagle began his career by trying out for numerous
rock‘n’roll bands. It was through this experimentation that
Cagle learned to face the fact that he was country.
"Every time I open my mouth, that's what it is,"
said Cagle.
Growing up in the outskirts of Houston, Texas in
a strict Southern Baptist household, Cagle said his parents have been
supportive of his ambitions.
"At the beginning, I think Dad was a little upset,"
said Cagle. "He didn't really want me to have to go through the hard
knocks to get to here."
Cagle did make it through the hard times, and his
first single, "My Love Goes On and On," was just a foreshadowing of
what Cagle would bring to the stage in the future.
Now, he not only sings, but also co-wrote eight
out of the 10 songs on his debut CD, "Play It Loud." With song topics
ranging from the significant other who got away to summer-time parties,
Cagle attempts to offer a wide variety in his music.
He brings an exciting energy to the format, said
Shelley Crow, media specialist for AristoMedia, Cagle's publishing company.
"With his song writing abilities as well as his
interaction with the fans, Cagle is destined to celebrate successes
in his career," she said.
But success for Cagle wasn’t always easy;
losing everything from relationships to cars to money, Cagle's success
has cost him a lot. However, he said it is all worth getting up on stage
to be himself while possibly touching someone's life.
As his music career continues to grow, Cagle dreams
not only of creating another CD, but also has hopes for his writing
career.
"Not only do I want to write a screenplay, but
I want to win an Oscar for it," he said.
· Cagle will be opening
for Neal McCoy at 8 p.m. Friday in the Elliott Hall of Music. Tickets
are $25 and $21 and are available at the Purdue box office at 494-3933
or 800-914-SHOW.
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