“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” - Oscar Wilde

Born and raised in North Carolina, Chris Wilkes’ first instrument was the trumpet in 3rd grade. During the holidays of 93', he was introduced to the drums. “My brother got a kit for Christmas. When he wasn’t around, I would sneak into his room and try to emulate what I heard him practicing. Eventually, he handed the kit over to me after realizing drums were not for him. Needless to say I was ecstatic with that decision!” During his high school years he kept busy with bands around the Raleigh, NC scene. By his senior year he was becoming known on the local level as a solid drummer with great feel and execution. For the next five years Chris performed and recorded as much as possible. In 2003 he was ready for broader musical opportunities so he packed up his life and moved to Atlanta, GA. In 2004 Chris enrolled in the Atlanta Institute of Music to further his studies of the drums. He is fortunate to have studied with some of the best and most accomplished instructors in the southeast ( Tom Knight - TLC, Creig Harbor - The Temptations, Jack Jones - Col. Bruce Hampton ). He graduated with honors in 2006 and excelled in his profession as a freelance musician & music educator. In Atlanta he taught 40+ students a week, played in several Atlanta bands (Bain Mattox, Golden, Sam Thacker) and was the first-call for several recording studios working with recording engineer greats such as Russ Fowler (Rage Against the Machine, STP) and John Keane (R.E.M., Widespread Panic). While touring he had the opportunity to perform alongside Zac Brown Band, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Sister Hazel, Marc Broussard, & David Ryan Harris. Atlanta was a solid chapter for Chris. After all, it's where he ended up meeting his wife (Julie) and forging a career in music. 
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In August of 2011 Chris, Julie, and their dog Lulu moved to beautiful Portland, Maine seeking a new kind of work-life balance. Since his arrival he's performed and/or recorded with local Portland artists Isobell, Greg Klein, Shanna Underwood, Owen Conforte, Tess Collins, and The Strangely Possibles. In 2015 he and cellist Devon Colella formed the original project known as QUAD. The duo released their debut album "Transmutation" in 2018 and will finish their follow up EP in 2023 . He was a member of The Bob Charest Band and now performs with a ten piece function band known as Plush. In January 2018 Chris tracked drums for Warner Bros. artist Crystal Fighter's. The song is titled "Reborn"  and is on their latest release "Gaia & Friends."
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