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Long before he joined Great Big Sea, Kris was fast becoming the drummer’s drummer in Atlantic Canada. Growing up in a musical family in Westville, Nova Scotia, music was his career choice since he can remember. He comes by it honestly; his Dad played in rock and roll bands throughout his childhood, and his brother Scott is a pro bass player as well. Besides learning the rudiments of the rock drum kit, Kris also mastered the guitar, bass and keyboards, instruments he occasionally plays in GBS. Settled by Scots, Pictou County is a hotbed for pipe bands, and growing up Kris spent many days learning the discipline required to play in their drum lines. He put these skills to good use on "Beat The Drum’ on the Something Beautiful album.
Kris honed his chops playing onstage and in the studio with acts such as Lennie Gallant, Kilt, Dave Gunning and the Paperboys. One of his most educational gigs was as the original drummer in the musical "Dream A Little Dream: the nearly true story of the Mamas and the Papas" starring original Mamas & Papas’ singer Denny Doherty. Kris played drums throughout the play’s original six runs, which has since moved onto Broadway.
Never satisfied with his drums until they look and sound perfect, Kris plays custom made Ayotte drums, along with Sabian Cymbals, Remo Heads and Roland electronics. Though he abandoned his university studies when GBS came calling, he hopes to return to school when time allows. In the meantime, he has put his weekends and evenings to good use, qualifying as a Soccer Canada certified coach. During the summer and fall he spends his off-time coaching youth teams.
