Combining songs and sounds from the East Texas Pines to the swing of the hill country and west, from the sultry French Quarter and the Mississippi delta to the pep of the Ozark Hills, syncopated rhythms reminiscent of Eastern Europe and songs of the Sea, Chris Puente has that old timey Americana sound that has graced stages all across the country as well around the world. Puente uses harmony, melody, simple percussion with strong syncopated rhythms to takes audiences on a tour of myth and legend, of the Snake Oil Salesmen, the Carpet Bagger, the Carnie, the Revival, The Old West and Old Ways. A tour of an times past, of traditional folk music. Chris Puente is frontman of Coal Black Rose(coalblackrose.com) and Old Bridge Rhythm Band. Chris Puente began playing the mountain dulcimer at age 7, picked up the bass three years later and guitar by 15 with his first stage performance at age 17. As a high school student in Navasota, Chris played in a rock band at bars in College Station, TX. He relocated to Austin in 1999 and performed throughout central Texas until 2003. Chris became a wandering man, playing and traveling non-stop until near tragic events in 2006. In the spring of 2006 Chris's legs and arms involuntarily curled up while driving. Three weeks later, doctors removed half of a 5cm tumor from Chris's brain. It was too dangerous to remove the rest. Recovery was intense. He had little control over his right arm, trouble speaking and severe memory loss. Resolved, Chris began practicing guitar for hours a day. Slowly, he regained the ability to play and relearned his songs. Unable to easily walk, talk, or drive himself, but determined and with the help of his friends and bandmates, Chris returned to the road and performing by the end of the very same year. Chris hasn't stopped since. His performances revitalized and inspired. Chris Puente: Singer Songwriter, *January 9 2008 issue of "Spotlight on Entertainment" (Cover Story) *July 2008 Issue of "Texas Highways" (Photo and Mention) *December 2008 Issue of "Texas Live" (Photo) * 2013-14 State Artist (Musician) Nominee