Chase Mitchell
Rockin' Country Star
by Sue Bowron
photography by Heather Smith
3651 Peachtree Parkway Suite 425 - Suwanee, GA 30024
The spotlight hits, the drums and guitars start up and a dynamic young man steps to the microphone. In that moment, the stage comes alive with electrifying energy as Chase Mitchell sings his heart out with the music he loves so much. It is hard to tell who is having more fun, Chase or the audience.
At an "American Idol" time, when so many young people are trying to break into the music business, Chase is riding the wave ahead of them. Since he first sang at eight years old for the creator of New Kids on the Block and New Edition, Chase has impressed not only Maurice Starr but also countless other agents, producers and artists.
For the past ten years Chase has been honing his talent, studying voice, guitar, piano and drums. But more than preparing and performing musically, Chase has been preparing mentally and emotionally to create his own musical identity. He says that "it's not about money or fame, but singing the kind of music I want to sing." Chase's special blend of pop and country music provides a background for the sound and lyrics he wants to deliver. Through his faith and involvement with Big Creek Church, Chase focuses the message of his music on living a fulfilled positive life. He explains, "I look from outside in. Music won't make me as a person." He wants to "move mountains with music."
Diagnosed in early childhood with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Chase's parents turned him toward achieving his dream. It was actually Chase's ADHD that proved to be a benefit for him. After studying the disorder, the Mitchells learned that ADHD is not a lack of attention span, but rather, it is an over-elevated awareness of all the stimuli in a given area. The disorder often appears as a lack of attention span, but what is really happening is a constant redirection of attention focus. Chase has had to learn to self-manage this aspect of the disorder, but it is his heightened awareness of sounds that allows Chase to hear music in a way that most of us could only dream of. It has proven to be a blessing, not a curse.
Chase, determined to succeed, learned that if you are doing big things, nothing should stand in your way. The entire family focused on developing his career and Chase credits the loving support he's received from his brother Evan and sister Braque along with his parents, Skip and Bronwyn, who travel with him on the road. In the last four months, Chase has traveled over 30,000 miles and has 100 concert commitments this year. In the next three months, he will be traveling between the Midwest and the East Coast adding an additional 60,000 miles on his tour bus. He plans to graduate from high school next year and has already doubled his concert commitments for 2008.
Chase's career is taking on a new dimension working with Los Angeles mega-producer/vocal analyst Doc Holliday who established Backstreet Boys, Nsync, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. Doc Holliday is careful about the talent he selects. After running Chase through his vocal paces, he declared that "Chase is our new standard." Blending the savvy LA approach to the music business with the heart and soul of country music, Chase is proud to be associated with Buddy Lee Attractions in Nashville who represents Jeff Foxworthy, Miranda Lambert, Trent Willmon, Lee Ann Womack, Ronnie Milsap and many others.
Apart from the business side of his music, Chase is digging deeper into the message he wants to convey. He just completed writing ten new songs for a CD that will be released in July on the WYE label from Nashville. Chase's songs are central to his life beliefs. In one of his newest songs, Don't Give Up Faith, he sings "The question we should be asking is, it's not what we want to be, it's who." In What About Now, he challenges, "Make the most of every day . . . If you're going to make a change, why not start today? What about now?" He shows his roots in his song Back in Georgia as he describes life on the road and his eagerness to get home to friends and family. Chase's goal is to make his music so meaningful that he will have a long career appealing to fans that recognize the authenticity of his songs and his vocal style.
Chase's heart extends beyond his music. He recognizes that with his talent and success, he has a certain obligation to others. He is joining with his church and other agencies to highlight the problem of teen sex trafficking in Atlanta. Children who are runaways, or live in homes with drug addiction and abuse, or recent immigrants are prime targets for this illegal activity. Chase wants to work aggressively to inform and educate people to help eradicate the exploitation of young lives.
There is a lot that is familiar about Chase. He is 17-years old, lives with his family in South Forsyth County, struggles with homework, hangs out with his two best friends playing video games and spends time with his girlfriend and his dog Rocky. Because of his schedule, he is home schooled but has close ties to his friends at South Forsyth High School. Chase's parents work hard to keep him grounded as a person. They hope that Chase will feel success at whatever level it is. His dad says, "If he keeps pushing the bar higher, that's a win-win. At some point though, you have to find contentment."
Because he is on the road so much of the time, not many of his friends have seen him perform. He was a featured performer at the sold-out Concert in the Quarry in May that benefited the band program at South Forsyth High School. His next local performance will be at the Amphitheatre on the Town Green in Downtown Duluth on July 13 at 8:30pm.
Perhaps Chase's career can best be summed up by Biff Watson, the most recorded acoustic guitarist and world renowned producer, who said, "Chase will impress you on every level, when you see him perform, when you hear his songs and when you meet him in person. A genuine talent, focused and ready to take on the world. Chase is a down-to-earth artist, yet a rising star!"
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For more information on Chase Mitchell, visit his website
www.chasemitchell.com or www.myspace.com/chasemitchellmusic
For further information on ADHD, visit www.chadd.org or www.soarnc.org
For information on Teen Trafficking, visit www.oneworld.net