Chris Nole

Keyboardist and Producer

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7 Reviews (2 Verified)
Chris Nole on SoundBetter

Professional piano and keyboard online recording services for musicians, songwriters, recording artists, and producers worldwide!

Accomplished session musician and music producer Chris Nole has toured and recorded with numerous top recording acts including superstar Faith Hill, singer/songwriter icon John Denver, country-rocker Travis Tritt, Gospel-Pop-Country Music legends the Oak Ridge Boys, Don Williams, and acclaimed vocalist Shelby Lynne (to name a few). 30+ years experience in the studio. My overdub prices vary, so please shoot me a message to discuss your recording project. Package deals available.

My audio features 10 short examples of some of my session keyboard work (descriptions below) - I hope you enjoy what you hear!

1. SAY IT WITH MONEY (Delbert McClinton) Piano, Organ

2. SWEET AMERICA (Barry Greenfield) Piano, Organ, Strings, Producer

3. THE BIG HOUSE (Chris Bannister) Piano, Synth, Strings, Mixing/Mastering, Producer

4. COME BACK TO ME (Brittany Allyn) Piano, Organ, Producer

5. SING ME BACK HOME (Don Williams) Wurlitzer Electric Piano, Organ

6. ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN (Chris Nole) Piano, Producer

7. JENNY DREAMED OF TRAINS (John Denver | Grammy-winning album All Aboard) Piano

8. SAVING IT UP FOR YOU (Jonell Mosser) Piano, Organ

9. THE SOUND OF YOUR VOICE (Faith Hill) Piano, Organ, Writer, Producer

10. IT'S TOO LATE (Dolly Parton) Electric Piano

I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.

Credits

AllMusic verified credits for Chris Nole
  • The Long and Short of It
  • Tristan Thompson
  • Don Williams
  • Don Williams
  • Don Williams
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • Colton James
  • Colton James
  • Colton James
  • Colton James
  • Emmylou Harris
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • Woody Bradshaw
  • Woody Bradshaw
  • Woody Bradshaw
  • Roy Rivers
  • Laura Powers
  • Marc Kunkel
  • Marc Kunkel
  • Marc Kunkel
  • Marc Kunkel
  • Marc Kunkel
  • Marc Kunkel
  • Marc Kunkel
  • Marc Kunkel
  • Chris Nole
  • Chris Nole
  • Chris Nole
  • Chris Nole
  • Chris Nole
  • Chris Nole
  • Destined
  • Chris Nole
  • Chris Nole
  • Chris Nole
  • Chris Nole
  • Melissa Gibson
  • Shane Keane
  • Pete Huttlinger
  • Pete Huttlinger
  • Pete Huttlinger
  • Pete Huttlinger
  • Pete Huttlinger
  • Pete Huttlinger
  • Pete Huttlinger
  • Pete Huttlinger
  • Pete Huttlinger
  • Pete Huttlinger
  • Pete Huttlinger
  • Jimmy Buffett
  • Jimmy Buffett
  • Jimmy Buffett
  • Chris Nole
  • Chris Nole
  • Chris Nole
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • Moore & Moore
  • Pickin' On
  • Frank DeLaMarre
  • Frank DeLaMarre
  • Frank DeLaMarre
  • John Denver
  • Mack Bailey
  • Mack Bailey
  • Melissa Gibson
  • Gail Davies
  • Laura Powers
  • Laura Powers
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • Bo Riddle
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • FM90
  • FM90
Discogs verified credits for Chris Nole
  • Brittany Allyn
  • Chris Bannister (2)
  • Judy Lunn
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • Laura Powers
  • Various
  • Jim Horn
  • Unknown Artist
  • Melissa Gibson (2)
  • Frank DeLaMarre
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • Laura Powers
  • Roy Rivers & Dolly Parton
  • Erin Hay
  • Brittany Allyn
  • John Denver
  • John Denver
  • Chris Bannister (2)
  • Don Williams (2)
  • Chris Bannister (2)
  • The Grand Undoing
  • Ken Dravis
  • Chris Bannister (2)
  • Taylor Rae
  • Judy Lunn
  • Erin Hay
  • Various

7 Reviews

Endorse Chris Nole
  1. Review by Mike G.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Chris was patient and professional, delivered some cool tracks, thanks!

  2. Review by ZackSympsonMusic
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    check_circleVerified

    Chris is a great Pianist !!

    He follows instructions very well and has a great sounding recording. It is very warm and classic sounding.

    I hope to work with Chris on my next song !!

  3. Review by Agabus
    starstarstarstarstar
    by Agabus

    As a singer-songwriter who's not exactly known for his "chops", I am often at the mercy of those who have them. This mercy includes not only the emotional interpretation of my music/notes and melody, but just as importantly, the emotional interpretation of the lyric, whether it be a specific word or an entire phrase. No one does this better than Chris Nole and I am fortunate to have had him play on all of my "keyboards required" recordings for the past 10 years or so. Chris has exceeded my expectations every single time.

  4. Review by Peter Young - Session Drummer
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    Chris has that special touch you need from a keyboardist. His piano playing is so beautiful and he can fill out a song with strings and pads that glue a song together with taste. I've hired Chris on multiple sessions and I can say he's a total pro and easy to work with . Look at his credits then hire him for your songs too !

  5. Review by Scott Zimmerman
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    by Scott Zimmerman

    Chris is a great player. He's done a great job in the past for me playing piano, electric piano, organ parts and strings as well. His parts always bring each tune to a new level.

    Scott David Zimmerman

  6. Review by Max Black
    starstarstarstarstar
    by Max Black

    I have worked with Chris on a large number of songs. He is an extremely talented musician who feels music and emotions which is rare nowdays. More over he is a great guy personally and esay to deal with. 100% Recommended!

  7. Review by Nate Barnes
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    Chris is world class! He can elevate any project with his outstanding musicianship, creativity, taste, and professionalism- highly recommended!

Interview with Chris Nole

  1. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  2. A: As a session musician, I would say the multitudes of projects I've played on over the years - from Grammy-winning (John Denver) to the independent recording artist, to the up and comer singer-songwriter. As a recording artist, to date I've recorded seven solo albums and I am really thrilled with the response I've received from them. More on the way!

  3. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  4. A: I've been session musician, music producer, songwriter, and touring professional for around 30 years.

  5. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  6. A: Being one myself, I am a big fan of the Independent recording artist. I think if we stay true to our creative vision and put the hard work in, we can have a successful career connecting directly to our listeners and fans.

  7. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  8. A: I currently have three album projects in the works and an accordion single song overdub - but this is likely to change by the time you read this : )

  9. Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

  10. A: how much do you charge?! ...let's chat about what your working on and how I might be able to help

  11. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  12. A: making music and my collaborators happy

  13. Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

  14. A: A recording artist (and songwriter) must put the time and skill into their musical creations...the most amazing overdub can not fix or save a song that hasn't been written or recorded well.

  15. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  16. A: are your tracks well arranged and ready for overdubs? did you record to a click?

  17. Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

  18. A: not yet - I just got on here!

  19. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  20. A: Digital - very accessible with endless options. Without digital, most people could not afford to be creative.

  21. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  22. A: I will use my experience and skills to help make your recording better

  23. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  24. A: Have confidence in your own music production while allowing other professional musicians/producers to add to your creative vision.

  25. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  26. A: Probably some cooking utensils.

  27. Q: How would you describe your style?

  28. A: My productions style would be commercial and creative. My playing has been described many different ways - but if I had to pick one, I'd go with...soulful.

  29. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  30. A: Listen!

  31. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  32. A: Singer-songwriter/Americana/Pop/Blues

  33. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  34. A: Bringing a commercial sensibility to an arrangement, piano part, or overall sound while being creative.

  35. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  36. A: Wow - sometimes a catchy intro or a solo, sometimes just a fuller rhythm throughout the track, or sometimes just a little sparkle. Every song is completely different and usually needs it's own magic.

  37. Q: What's your typical work process?

  38. A: A prospective client emails me an MP3 rough mix of the song they want keyboards added on. I listen and consult with them about what keyboard sounds and styles would be appropriate for this particular track. If we move forward, I request a stereo mix to record my keyboards to. I might ask for a mix with the vocals lowered a bit so I can better lock in the the band (bass and drums...or whatever is most appropriate). I always ask if the tracks were recorded to the project tempo grid and what the bpm for the song is. If the tracks were recorded off the tempo grid, then I will request a separate mono mix of the click used (if there was one). I will then record a take of the overdub instrument(s) and email an MP3 proof mix of my keyboard work back to the client. 80% of the time I get a thumbs up on my work (the other 20% might require a tweak here or there). When we both love the keyboard part(s), and after I receive payment - I then export the WAV files for the instruments I've recorded, upload them, and send the client download links for the WAV files to import their recording project and mix.

  39. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  40. A: I use Nuendo 5.5 with top of the line pre-amps and microphones. Most of my keyboard overdubs these days are high end plug-ins (samples). This really speeds up the turn around time - and the sampled instruments available now are very impressive.

  41. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  42. A: Creativity and attention to detail definitely inspires me.

  43. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  44. A: I usually get asked to add a piano track to an existing musical production. Organ overdubs, synth, and strings are also a common request.

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Chris Nole Session Keyboard Examples (10)

I was the Piano, Organ, Synth in this production

GenresSounds Like
  • Dr John Mac Rebennack
  • Chuck Leavell
  • Ray Charles
Gear Highlights
  • Pro keyboards | high quality samples | Yamaha grand piano available
More Photos
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