The Bass Player Association         

About Chris Ferguson                   

I began playing bass when I was 13 years old. It was a natural fit and I have been studying, performing, teaching and playing bass now for about 45 years. A gradutate of the first class (1979) of B.I.T. (now known as the Musician's Institute) in Hollywood, California and a devoted lifetime student of the instrument, my experiences have given me an understanding of the role and function of the bass in many different musical styles.

My musical experiences have allowed me to participate in places and times that have had an impact on music culture. I was in Hollywood, Ca during the 1980s hard rock and new wave music scene and had first hand opportunities to play in the clubs and be a part of the musical culture of that place and time, which produced bands like Van Halen, Motley Crue, Guns and Roses and DEVO and The Motels. When I moved to Seattle in 1987, I stepped right into the beginning of what would later become known as the "grunge" music scene. We rehearsed on Capitol Hill and played at the Bistro in the U-District along with other clubs in Pioneer Square and had first hand experience of the place and time that produced Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Sound Garden and great blues artists like Tom McFarland, Isaac Scott Band, and the Robert Cray Band. The 80's and the 90's ran together, just different music scenes. An incredible education.

In the 2000's my experiences in Seattle have included co-founding, booking, promoting and performing with a hard rock country band (think, Guns and Roses meets Rascal Flatts!) called "Country Rock Association", doing lots of freelance bass work with various bands and individual musicians of different genres (funk, pop, country, jazz and classic rock), including working with an amazing musician/entertainer, Tim Noah (multiple Emmy award winner) and playing bass for his "Thumbnail Theater" non-profit group, acting as a board member for the 501c3 non-profit organization, "The Music Box Project" (since closed) with my good friends, Rick and Dy Arthur, and studying and teaching bass to many students over the years.

Currently I am living and playing in the Southern United States around the Northern Alabama / Nashville / Florida / Memphis area. I do travel and work in the Seattle area for part of the year, as well.

The South is home to many world renowned musicians that have left a indelible mark on music over the last century. It is a great honor to be a part of the musical community in Northern Alabama. I try harder everyday to bring something to the musical table that can and hopefully help my fellow musicians who have embraced me here. They are really special. 

Here is a picture of my 1996 Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass V at a show at the Seattle Center, just below the Space Needle in 2014:



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Discography:

Anthony Burke

Prisoners in the Sky (BMI 1989)

Electric Bass

The Roadhouse Jukes

What's Gotta Be Done (ASCAP 1997)

Electric Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Songwriter

Karen Foley

Moments of Clarity (2009)

Banjo

Frank Farrow

Canvas (ASCAP/iTunes 2012)

Electric Bass

Groove Yard

Groove Yard (12 Pines Music, BMI)

Electric 5-String Bass

The Roadhouse Jukes

Take Care Of Each Other (ASCAP 2020)

Electric Bass, Vocals, Songwriter

(Available on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify)



Instruments

2005 Lakland 55-02 USA

1996 Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass V

1987 Fender Jazz Bass Special MIJ

1973 Fender Precision Fretless

2005 Ibanez SR305DX 5 String

2002 Palatino 3/4 Upright Bass