Lineage and Chris Pierce began their collaboration back in 2007, when they met performing at a concert supporting those affected by cancer. Moved and inspired by his music, Lineage Artistic Director Hilary Thomas approached Pierce about choreographing to his songs, and he happily agreed. Quickly, the two discovered that they had a very similar compulsion to create art as a way of processing pain, sharing joy, and facilitating connection with others. They presented their first concert together to support Pasadena's Living Beauty Cancer Foundation. Within a few years, they had developed an original show called Defining Moments, which premiered at Lineage in 2010. With nearly over a dozen Chris Pierce original pieces in their repertory, Lineage and Pierce have been performing all over Pasadena ever since. They joined together again during the pandemic and created zoom performances in people's backyards and drive-in concerts on the rooftops of parking structures. 

When the Eaton Fire hit, Pierce and Thomas connected immediately, both compelled to help in any way possible. Both of them Pasadena natives, there was no question they would come together to try and help the community in any way they could. Pierce attended St. Mark's school, which was destroyed in the fire.  On his instagram, he shared his devastation at that loss: "It's where I discovered a love for singing and performing. It's also where I first discovered a connection to service and spirit and the importance of compassion and empathy."

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Join us in the lobby from 6-7 for a special pre-show gathering presented by local students. Enjoy live music, community art projects, and fresh baked goods. Proceeds from ticket sales and donations will be split between St. Mark's School and Eliot Arts Magnet.

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Chris Pierce has taken the music world by storm with his soulful voice and poignant storytelling. In 2023, he was personally chosen by Neil Young to open for the full run of his Coastal Tour, a testament to Pierce’s standing among music’s elite. He first gained worldwide recognition with his hit song “We Can Always Come Back to This,” featured in multiple episodes of NBC’s This Is Us. The song climbed to #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart, launching him into the spotlight. Pierce has headlined tours across the globe and shared stages with legends like Neil Young, B.B. King, Steve Earle, Seal, Al Green Aaron Neville, Keb’ Mo, Blind Boys of Alabama, and many more.

Pierce’s music has been celebrated for its emotional depth and authenticity, with his album 'American Silence' receiving critical acclaim from NPR, Rolling Stone, NoDepression, and SiriusXM. PopMatters named it the #1 Best Folk Album of 2021, and the song “Residential School” was included in Folk Alley’s 100 Essential Folk Songs of all time. Despite facing a significant challenge at a young age, developing a hearing disorder that led to partial deafness, Pierce’s passion for music only grew stronger, and he has continued to deliver powerful, socially conscious performances.

His latest album, 'Let All Who Will' has already earned praise from NPR, NoDepression, New York Times, Hi Times and American Songwriter. In addition to his solo career, Pierce collaborates with Americana/Folk/Soul sensation WAR & PIERCE alongside Sunny War and is a member of the Americana/Roots band Leon Creek. He also makes appearances with the Black Opry Revue, further showcasing his diverse talents.

“One of America’s most talented, gifted, and affecting artists.” - American Songwriter

“I haven’t been so deeply, deeply moved by just a person and their guitar like this in a long time.” - NPR Music

www.chrispierce.com

Lineage is your home for connecting through the arts; a place where you're invited to find your creative voice through dance, music, theater, and other performing arts. We produce our own performances, we serve as a home for visiting artists to produce their own work, and we create opportunities to grow and advance through education.