Chris Pierce

Chris Pierce is a California-born singer-songwriter, educator, and storyteller whose lifelong love of words and music has shaped a remarkable artistic journey. Raised in Pasadena by an English-teacher mother who nurtured his appreciation for language, Pierce discovered early on that songs could hold stories with honesty, hope, and emotional truth. His first instrument — a harmonica brought home by his grandfather after World War II — ignited his fascination with musical traditions, especially the blues, and set him on a path of personal expression and cultural respect. Despite a teenage diagnosis of otosclerosis that led to significant hearing loss, Pierce continued to build his craft and career with resilience, performing, writing, touring, and mentoring for more than three decades. In his NAMM Oral History interview, he emphasized that songwriting begins with curiosity, courage, and simplicity, reminding young creators that “all you need is a pencil and a piece of paper” to begin telling the stories only you can tell.