Chris Hiatt - A Rising Star That Nearly Fell

On November 26, 2004 Chris Hiatt, a Phoenix based musician who is best known for being the World's Premiere Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan, was nearly killed in a T-bone accident, hit at 85 miles per hour.

Ordinarily this story would only merit a few lines at best in the local newspaper... but there's more to this story than meets the eye at first glance.

After being cut from his car and transported to the hospital by helicopter, Chris spent 6 days in intensive care on the critical list. After recovering from surgery, Hiatt's condition was downgraded, and he was released shortly thereafter.

Dedicated to his music, Chris Hiatt's words just before undergoing emergency surgery were to make sure his agent didn't cancel his break-out gig as a National Act in Las Vegas, scheduled for December 9th. (Needless to say, Chris was in no condition to stand, let alone perform, so the gig had to be cancelled.)

Hiatt, who had been in the process of recording a break-out CD of his own original music, was faced with an arduous recovery, pain and mounting bills... Not to mention the fact that all of his instruments and gear were destroyed in the accident.

Hiatt's agent contacted the Music Cares Foundation, part of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, who assisted in replacing his gear and instruments, and helped with various other necessary daily and quality of life expenses.

Chris Hiatt is now on the mend and back to doing what he does best... Performing. He will be headlining the 4th annual International Micro-Brewers Festival and Concert on May 14th at Barley's Casino in Henderson, Nevada. He is also currently planning a CD Release Party for his new self-titled CD.

I have personally seen Chris Hiatt perform no less than five times, and could not be more impressed with his playing or his music. Hiatt, the father of what his agent calls "High Octane Blues", is the true heir-apparent to the "Guitar God" throne left vacant by the death of Stevie Ray Vaughan.

For more information on Chris Hiatt, the accident, his music and appearance schedule, go to www.chrishiatt.com, or his agent's website www.cppresents.com.