If You Drink… (Chris Turner) | S1E13

Chris Turner is a singer/songwriter from Ninety Six, South Carolina and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

I first met Chris a few years ago at the first Songs of Hope event (Songs of Hope = an event Crosswinds created to generate awareness about veterans + PTSD + Moral Injury. Veterans are matched with singer-songwriters who put their stories to music.) Chris performed at the beginning of the show…

While in the military, Chris served as a Field Wire Communications Specialists while stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He also found his way to 29 Palms, California and and overseas at Okinawa, Japan and Pohang, Korea.

Chris made his way to Nashville in May 2010.

He says, “Driving in on I-24, I can remember saying to myself, That's a big town with alot of people - where do I start?”

Chris would soon learn that Nashville is the biggest, smallest town in the country.

He continues, “Nashville is a town where everyone knows everyone. I was told early on be careful, because you never know who you are talking to."

Playing small restaurants and coffee shops with his guitar Chris started his journey.

"I can remember performing in a cafe north of town for two hours for two people. I made three dollars in tips that night. I still carry those three dollars in my guitar case to remind me of my first gig in town and how much of a reality check it was.”

But, as time passed, the audiences grew— as well as the depth of his songs.

Chris writes a lot about his service, as well as circumstances and situations veterans face.

I titled this talk “If You Drink,” because the video targets the struggles that vets deal with when suffering from PTSD. The imagery— and lyrics— vividly show how one vet chooses to deal with his fight. Rather than drinking your sorrows away… or going downhill, he song communicates, come and sit with us. Let’s walk this thing out together…

+++++++

Chris Turner Music on Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/cturner96/ 

Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/christurnermusic/ 

Chris’ website = https://www.christurnermusic.com/ 

If You Drink = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oKHoIGTOGY 

The Songs of Hope playlist on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/E_ilBry6kE4