It’s been a few years now since Chris Madsen left his former business, the music school he ran in Vernon for more than a decade, to become a troubadour, spreading his message of love through song.
These days, the good natured guitarist can usually be found atop some rock above Cosens Bay meditating, or at home polishing off his latest composition.
He’s written hundreds of songs, heard on the 12 CDs he’s published, along with the many others he’s made to hand out to friends and anyone who wants to listen.
And people have. Just recently, Madsen picked up the best instrumental album award for his CD, Song of the Troubadour, at the 2011 B.C. Interior Music Awards, where he delivered an eloquent speech that had the whole theatre applauding.
And on Friday, Madsen will be spreading his message through music when he and one of his former students, fellow BCIMA nominee Jodi Pederson, perform at Powerhouse Theatre in a concert to raise funds for the Vernon Women’s Transition House Society.
Madsen’s mantra, if you will, has always been about touching lives through his music.
“We all have a voice. I mean I use mine, within its limitations –– let’s just say I don’t sing, I speak poetically in an emphatic fashion –– but I don’t trip on what I can’t do, I trip on what I can do. And I’ve tried to teach that to others,” he said.
Madsen points to Pederson, whom he tutored when she was 16, helping the now successful singer-songwriter overcome what was then an extreme case of shyness.
“She was a huge ball of potential. I saw it right away. Her voice is immaculate and her spirit is like that of an angel,” said Madsen. “We would record her sessions, and her homework was to write music every week then we would discuss the song to hone her songwriting skills to become authentic and get in touch with her feelings.”
The guitarist still lives by his own teachings, and says he likes to set an intention for each song he writes before he even picks up the pen, and he often lets the guitar do the talking.
“I like to pick up on the energy, the feeling, then connect with the instrument,” said Madsen. “Sometimes it requires lyrics, sometimes it’s instrumental, although I find lyrics can be quite limiting as they sometime cloak the intention.”
His intention for Friday’s concert is to bring a voice to those who are not often heard.
Produced by local comedian Marty Kelly, the concert was originally to raise awareness and funds for the Vernon Women’s Centre. However, with the news that the centre has just closed permanently, Madsen says the artists will now be supporting the Vernon Women’s Transition House Society, which offers a shelter and community programs for women and children seeking refuge from violence.
“These are women with children who decide to be the creators in their lives rather than the victims, and they need our support,” said Madsen.
Madsen and Pederson take the stage at Vernon’s Powerhouse Theatre Friday at 8 p.m. Admission is by donation at the door.
