Chris began playing the Euphonium at 9 years old at Biddick Primary School , Washington , Tyne & Wear. He played in the school band along with his brother Mark (ex Black Dyke Horn & current MD at Hepworth (Lanson Homes) band).

He joined Boldon Colliery Band on Baritone at age 10, playing in their winning performance at the Royal Albert Hall in the 1984 4th Section National Finals off the dreaded No.1 draw.

He subsequently moved onto Trombone in 1985, and won the soloist's prize at the 1986 Wansbeck Entertainment Contest and the Durham League Junior solo contest.

In 1987 at the age of 14, he joined Ever Ready Band and made his debut at the British Open Championships, Manchester on Hubert Bath's Freedom gaining 4th place.
He was promoted to Solo Trombone with Ever Ready in 1994.

In 1997 he accepted his first conducting position with Westoe (STHCT) Band and celebrated by winning the 4th Section Mineworkers title in his first contest. The following March saw the Band win the 4th Section regional contest and subsequent promotion to section 3. Later that year the band successfully defended their Mineworkers title.
Further contest successes were achieved during 1999 and 2nd place at the regional contest in March 2000 not only qualified the band for an appearance at the Royal Albert Hall, but secured promotion to section 2 from January 1st 2001 .
 Following successful short spells with Broughtons & Boldon Colliery bands, Chris was appointed Resident Conductor of the Fishburn Band.  Chris made his debut with Fishburn in September 2004 gaining a credible 3rd place at the Troon Entertainment Contest.

Chris is married to the bands cornet player Nicola and they recently celebrated the birth of their first child Robbie.