About
Chris is a solo performer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Vocalist, Mandolin, fiddle, harmonica and various guitar styles are his palette. Because of his depth and years of entertainment experience his performances are tailored to reading the demographic of the audience he is in front of and tailoring his performance to that unique group. Writing, singing and playing his original Americana influenced songs are his passion. Pop/Rock, Country "chestnuts" are also his favorites. He can be found performing SOLO or just as often, with his equally talented and musically complimentary brother Mark Panfil. After a pause in touring to raise a family in his WNY home and averaging 80+ appearances/ year in the North Eastern US he is beginning to travel more and expand his audience. He is quite at home playing concert stages, private events, house concerts and music clubs.
Career Highlights
2017 Performed debut of Rock Opera "Arctic Song" sharing vocals with it's writer Denny Laine of Moody Blues and Paul McCartney and Wings. Accompanied by Fredonia College Choir and Chamber Orchestra. Produced by Armand Petri (Goo Goo Dolls, 10,000 Maniacs, Six Pence none the Richer)
2016 Inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.
1995-present
Solo Performer/Songwriter- Performing original and cover material in club, concert and private venues. Has written and performed 80+ songs. Seneca Indian Rights, American and Local History and notable local figures. Featured performer on many "Songwriters Concert Series”
2007-present "Panfil Brothers” (Mark and Chris). Writing and performing original music on guitar, dobros, banjo, mandolin, accordion and harmonicas. Recorded CD’s Keep Right, Notes From Above, Two Monkey’s, Saved by the Night and Rails, Waves, Wood & Wire"
2000-present "Emerald Isle” Irish Pub Songs. Clubs, concert, festival and private events. Chris- vocalist, writer, guitar, fiddle, banjo and mandolin.
1994- Present ”Creek Bend” – Bluegrass Band. New York, Pennsylvania, southern Ontario 1st place in the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival Band Competition in 1992. Vocalist, writer, mandolin, fiddle and guitar.
1993 House band member at Nashville's “The Stagecoach”. A popular nightclub for country music industry personnel. Guitar, fiddle, mandolin, harmonica, vocalist.
1991-93 Free Lance session and stage musician Nashville, Tn. Toured as Band Leader for national package concerts Opry Stars, Jack Greene, Jeanie Sealy, Little Jimmie Dickins, Del Reeves, Sheb Wooley, countless others. Contracted for many demo and master recording sessions as well as “utility” musician for touring shows. Demo/master work for Bob Evans (Badfinger) and Brett Jones (songwriter). Guitar, fiddle, mandolin, harmonica, vocalist.
1988-91 Recipient of “Best Fiddle Player”, "Best Acoustic Guitar Player”, “Best Band” ('88-'91 Buffalo Country Music Awards (1990)
1988-91 “J.C. Thompson Band”-"Neo-Traditional” country music band. . Performed in clubs, concert and private events throughout WNY. Released album-The JC Thompson Band writer, guitar, fiddle, harmonica and vocalist.
1980-85 “Sleepless Nites”- Critically acclaimed newgrass pioneers. Toured southeastern US and recorded Live at the Garden album. Vocalist, mandolin, fiddle and harmonica.
1978-80 “Bluegrass Southern Style”- Florida bluegrass band. Toured Europe and Puerto Rico (USO Sponsored). Southeastern US festivals and recorded Rosewater Mountain album. Mandolin, fiddle and vocal.
2017 Performed debut of Rock Opera "Arctic Song" sharing vocals with it's writer Denny Laine of Moody Blues and Paul McCartney and Wings. Accompanied by Fredonia College Choir and Chamber Orchestra. Produced by Armand Petri (Goo Goo Dolls, 10,000 Maniacs, Six Pence none the Richer)
2016 Inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.
1995-present
Solo Performer/Songwriter- Performing original and cover material in club, concert and private venues. Has written and performed 80+ songs. Seneca Indian Rights, American and Local History and notable local figures. Featured performer on many "Songwriters Concert Series”
2007-present "Panfil Brothers” (Mark and Chris). Writing and performing original music on guitar, dobros, banjo, mandolin, accordion and harmonicas. Recorded CD’s Keep Right, Notes From Above, Two Monkey’s, Saved by the Night and Rails, Waves, Wood & Wire"
2000-present "Emerald Isle” Irish Pub Songs. Clubs, concert, festival and private events. Chris- vocalist, writer, guitar, fiddle, banjo and mandolin.
1994- Present ”Creek Bend” – Bluegrass Band. New York, Pennsylvania, southern Ontario 1st place in the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival Band Competition in 1992. Vocalist, writer, mandolin, fiddle and guitar.
1993 House band member at Nashville's “The Stagecoach”. A popular nightclub for country music industry personnel. Guitar, fiddle, mandolin, harmonica, vocalist.
1991-93 Free Lance session and stage musician Nashville, Tn. Toured as Band Leader for national package concerts Opry Stars, Jack Greene, Jeanie Sealy, Little Jimmie Dickins, Del Reeves, Sheb Wooley, countless others. Contracted for many demo and master recording sessions as well as “utility” musician for touring shows. Demo/master work for Bob Evans (Badfinger) and Brett Jones (songwriter). Guitar, fiddle, mandolin, harmonica, vocalist.
1988-91 Recipient of “Best Fiddle Player”, "Best Acoustic Guitar Player”, “Best Band” ('88-'91 Buffalo Country Music Awards (1990)
1988-91 “J.C. Thompson Band”-"Neo-Traditional” country music band. . Performed in clubs, concert and private events throughout WNY. Released album-The JC Thompson Band writer, guitar, fiddle, harmonica and vocalist.
1980-85 “Sleepless Nites”- Critically acclaimed newgrass pioneers. Toured southeastern US and recorded Live at the Garden album. Vocalist, mandolin, fiddle and harmonica.
1978-80 “Bluegrass Southern Style”- Florida bluegrass band. Toured Europe and Puerto Rico (USO Sponsored). Southeastern US festivals and recorded Rosewater Mountain album. Mandolin, fiddle and vocal.