CHRISTOPHER ALAN YATES

Christopher Alan Yates’ musical roots began at the feet of his father, who was a country guitarist and bluegrass bassist. As a child, Yates’ introduction to performing live music started with  neighborhood parties, fish fries, and barbeques. His talent grew quickly, and he embarked on a lifelong career in music. 

A regular on the Atlanta music scene, Yates’ fans have followed as he has morphed into a collaborative artist who writes and performs both solo and with friends and writer’s groups. His rhythms and melodies are an accessible blend of the eclectic genres he loves.  From country to pop to pure rock, his albums Familiar Fire, Mint Condition, and Red cover a wide sonic spectrum.

A desire to understand all elements of music production and a need to control the quality of his work led him to become an audio engineer with an impressive resume on and off stage. Yates has worked and performed with some of the most renowned artists and music acts in the industry, including Drivin’ n Cryin, Collective Soul, REHAB, Shawn Mullins, Marc Broussard, The White Buffalo, John Waite, The White Stripes, Randall Bramblett, Sonny Emory, Ed Sheeran, Michael Tolcher, Kevin Griffin, Sheila E., Speech (from Arrested Development), Scott Stapp, Ringo Starr, Sister Hazel and The Corduroy Blue.

In 2011, Yates co-founded The Sweet Tea Project along with Ed Roland, best known as the frontman of the rock band Collective Soul. This group made its debut via a cover of "Shelter from the Storm" on the 2012 Bob Dylan tribute, “Chimes of Freedom” which debuted in the U.S at number 11 on the Billboard 200.  The Sweet Tea Project released their debut album, “Devils 'N Darlins”, in September of 2013. Their second album, “Alder Lane Farm” was released in 2017. 

Through leaning on his past and tapping into the future, Yates is constantly striving to reinvent himself and his music, as is clearly shown on his upcoming EP, Christopher Alan Yates and the Sonic Gold Standards.