1 00:00:02,650 --> 00:00:05,809 Speaker 1: Life Audio. Hey, Chris, thanks for joining me. 2 00:00:07,010 --> 00:00:07,990 Speaker 2: Thanks for having me, brother. 3 00:00:08,730 --> 00:00:12,530 Speaker 1: Chris Darlington, deputy sheriff in Virginia, who also is a 4 00:00:12,650 --> 00:00:16,310 Speaker 1: faith-infused country singer, and he's amazing. Chris, you have a 5 00:00:16,650 --> 00:00:19,970 Speaker 1: great success. You've had great success in recent weeks and months. 6 00:00:20,090 --> 00:00:20,990 Speaker 2: What do you want? 7 00:00:21,590 --> 00:00:24,690 Speaker 1: Climb to number 81, I believe, on the media-based country chart. 8 00:00:25,370 --> 00:00:27,680 Speaker 1: And I believe you're based around Winchester, Virginia. 9 00:00:27,700 --> 00:00:30,630 Speaker 2: That's Patsy Cline's hometown. So like I was telling you 10 00:00:30,650 --> 00:00:31,190 Speaker 2: before this, maybe. 11 00:00:31,090 --> 00:00:33,170 Speaker 1: There's something in the water there that makes these good singers. 12 00:00:33,830 --> 00:00:37,800 Speaker 1: You spent years serving as a deputy sheriff while also 13 00:00:37,850 --> 00:00:40,500 Speaker 1: pursuing country music. For people who are just discovering you, 14 00:00:41,320 --> 00:00:43,699 Speaker 1: which came first and why do both? 15 00:00:44,740 --> 00:00:45,420 Speaker 2: Good question. 16 00:00:46,220 --> 00:00:51,600 Speaker 3: So music came first. My father played guitar. He played 17 00:00:51,620 --> 00:00:55,320 Speaker 3: in the area. He recorded in Nashville as well. And 18 00:00:55,360 --> 00:00:58,180 Speaker 3: when I was a teenager, he brought me a, a 19 00:00:58,220 --> 00:01:03,280 Speaker 3: Walmart toy Casio keyboard and wanted me to help him 20 00:01:04,220 --> 00:01:07,050 Speaker 3: back him up in his band. So I kind of 21 00:01:07,060 --> 00:01:10,150 Speaker 3: played by ear, played with my dad for a little while. 22 00:01:10,170 --> 00:01:13,430 Speaker 3: Then as I got older, I started to move to Nashville. 23 00:01:13,830 --> 00:01:17,690 Speaker 3: And as I was considering a career in Nashville, just 24 00:01:17,730 --> 00:01:19,790 Speaker 3: kind of like being a touring musician, because I got 25 00:01:19,830 --> 00:01:22,090 Speaker 3: really good at the keyboard and I thought about going 26 00:01:22,110 --> 00:01:24,630 Speaker 3: out on the road and supporting some of these national 27 00:01:24,770 --> 00:01:28,750 Speaker 3: acts and Some of the guys, when I started moving 28 00:01:28,770 --> 00:01:30,850 Speaker 3: to Nashville, some of the guys that were doing the 29 00:01:30,870 --> 00:01:33,410 Speaker 3: Broadway thing down there, I told them I had an 30 00:01:33,430 --> 00:01:35,030 Speaker 3: interest in law enforcement as well, and I had an 31 00:01:35,090 --> 00:01:37,770 Speaker 3: application in at Front Row Police Department at the time. 32 00:01:37,790 --> 00:01:41,420 Speaker 3: I mean, all those guys encouraged me to go for 33 00:01:41,440 --> 00:01:44,819 Speaker 3: the law enforcement career because essentially they were tired of 34 00:01:45,540 --> 00:01:48,200 Speaker 3: lugging stuff back and forth from Tootsies, the second fiddle, 35 00:01:48,320 --> 00:01:52,620 Speaker 3: the stage. And I took their advice, and a day later, 36 00:01:52,660 --> 00:01:55,580 Speaker 3: I think, Front Row Police Department called me and accepted 37 00:01:55,600 --> 00:01:59,130 Speaker 3: my application and I took that. So it kind of 38 00:01:59,150 --> 00:02:01,550 Speaker 3: got me out of, out of the music loop for 39 00:02:01,590 --> 00:02:05,190 Speaker 3: a while. And then as I advanced in my law 40 00:02:05,210 --> 00:02:08,210 Speaker 3: enforcement career, I ended up on daylight and I found 41 00:02:08,250 --> 00:02:11,560 Speaker 3: a way to get back into it, kind of juggling both. 42 00:02:11,580 --> 00:02:12,739 Speaker 2: It was kind of how it happened. 43 00:02:13,220 --> 00:02:15,900 Speaker 1: So how many years ago was that, that you got 44 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:18,480 Speaker 1: your job in law enforcement? And so I guess what 45 00:02:18,500 --> 00:02:20,060 Speaker 1: I'm asking is how many years has it been since 46 00:02:20,100 --> 00:02:23,130 Speaker 1: you've since you tried your hand at singing before you 47 00:02:23,150 --> 00:02:25,070 Speaker 1: started it and picked up a guitar again, I guess. 48 00:02:25,780 --> 00:02:28,079 Speaker 3: Yeah. So this is, this is my 20th year in 49 00:02:28,100 --> 00:02:32,419 Speaker 3: law enforcement. So it was 20 years ago when I 50 00:02:32,580 --> 00:02:36,500 Speaker 3: started to move to Nashville, right. When I had an 51 00:02:36,600 --> 00:02:39,280 Speaker 3: application in, in the police department at the same time, 52 00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:42,200 Speaker 3: it wasn't this department. I started out in a smaller department, 53 00:02:42,240 --> 00:02:44,380 Speaker 3: which is about a half hour from here. So yeah, 54 00:02:44,400 --> 00:02:45,960 Speaker 3: it was 20 years ago and I, and I've been 55 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:48,989 Speaker 3: in law enforcement now for 20 years and, and I, 56 00:02:49,310 --> 00:02:52,840 Speaker 3: I've been, grinding the music really hard. I'd say in 57 00:02:52,860 --> 00:02:57,320 Speaker 3: the last five or six years, you know, really hard. 58 00:02:57,870 --> 00:02:58,450 Speaker 2: That's amazing. 59 00:02:58,490 --> 00:03:00,310 Speaker 1: And so you're, you're, you're a deputy sheriff. You are 60 00:03:00,330 --> 00:03:03,810 Speaker 1: a school resource, resource officer for those who don't. That's, 61 00:03:03,870 --> 00:03:07,190 Speaker 1: that's the, that's the kind of, uh, the resource officer 62 00:03:07,230 --> 00:03:10,150 Speaker 1: at the, at the local school, I guess, local high 63 00:03:10,190 --> 00:03:10,770 Speaker 1: school maybe. 64 00:03:11,650 --> 00:03:14,350 Speaker 3: Yeah. So in our, uh, jurisdiction, we have, uh, 21 65 00:03:14,350 --> 00:03:18,300 Speaker 3: schools and we, uh, We try to have an SRO 66 00:03:18,340 --> 00:03:20,580 Speaker 3: in every school, even the elementary level schools. 67 00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:22,160 Speaker 2: We don't have quite enough. 68 00:03:22,200 --> 00:03:25,380 Speaker 3: So what I do right now, I split two elementary 69 00:03:25,400 --> 00:03:28,690 Speaker 3: schools and then I'm like a primary backup. 70 00:03:28,410 --> 00:03:29,990 Speaker 2: Guy for like one of the high schools. 71 00:03:30,270 --> 00:03:32,770 Speaker 1: So that's kind of how we do things here in 72 00:03:32,790 --> 00:03:37,210 Speaker 1: this county for now. How has working in law enforcement 73 00:03:37,270 --> 00:03:38,670 Speaker 1: influenced you as a songwriter? 74 00:03:39,660 --> 00:03:42,840 Speaker 3: You know, I would say law enforcement definitely grounds you. 75 00:03:43,620 --> 00:03:45,920 Speaker 3: You definitely learn how to talk to people. You learn 76 00:03:45,940 --> 00:03:48,760 Speaker 3: a lot about people and a lot about life, really. 77 00:03:49,460 --> 00:03:53,880 Speaker 3: I would say it's really helped my songwriting. It's helped 78 00:03:54,250 --> 00:03:56,930 Speaker 3: shape who I am today. You know, you meet a 79 00:03:56,970 --> 00:04:00,330 Speaker 3: lot of people and you see a lot of interesting things. 80 00:04:00,350 --> 00:04:02,830 Speaker 3: And I think, you know, it gives you something to 81 00:04:02,870 --> 00:04:06,690 Speaker 3: write about. I have written songs inspired by law enforcement 82 00:04:07,300 --> 00:04:07,680 Speaker 3: as well. 83 00:04:08,230 --> 00:04:10,250 Speaker 1: What led you to law enforcement in the first place? 84 00:04:10,290 --> 00:04:12,930 Speaker 1: What was the spark in your soul, in your heart, 85 00:04:12,990 --> 00:04:14,530 Speaker 1: to make you want to pursue this career? 86 00:04:15,730 --> 00:04:19,390 Speaker 3: You know, ever since, and I can tell you this 87 00:04:19,430 --> 00:04:22,510 Speaker 3: story because it's kind of funny. Obviously, you know, COPS 88 00:04:22,540 --> 00:04:24,360 Speaker 3: has been around a while, so we all grew up 89 00:04:24,390 --> 00:04:27,160 Speaker 3: kind of watching COPS, and that kind of sparked my interest. 90 00:04:27,920 --> 00:04:30,400 Speaker 3: And just the passion to want to go out here 91 00:04:30,420 --> 00:04:32,320 Speaker 3: and do something different every day and be able to 92 00:04:32,360 --> 00:04:34,640 Speaker 3: help people and be able to make a difference. But 93 00:04:34,660 --> 00:04:36,740 Speaker 3: the funny story is, like, you know, when I was, like, 94 00:04:37,330 --> 00:04:40,730 Speaker 3: still in high school. And, and my best friend, Kevin, 95 00:04:40,750 --> 00:04:44,230 Speaker 3: his grandma had what we called a hoopty. And it 96 00:04:44,270 --> 00:04:47,030 Speaker 3: was like, yeah, like, you know, an Oldsmobile kind of 97 00:04:47,050 --> 00:04:50,039 Speaker 3: look like a cop car in a way. So we'd 98 00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:53,880 Speaker 3: take old grandma's hoopty out, like on the weekend sometimes. 99 00:04:53,960 --> 00:04:56,339 Speaker 3: And we would sit parked somewhere. And, you know, if 100 00:04:56,380 --> 00:04:58,660 Speaker 3: we look, if we seen somebody kind of like speeding, 101 00:04:58,700 --> 00:05:00,440 Speaker 3: we would pull out on them. And my buddy would 102 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:02,740 Speaker 3: flash his high beams and they would think we were 103 00:05:02,760 --> 00:05:05,020 Speaker 3: a cop. And then that almost got us in trouble 104 00:05:05,140 --> 00:05:07,599 Speaker 3: one night, but that that's how, How much passion I 105 00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:09,659 Speaker 3: had to want to be a cop. 106 00:05:09,420 --> 00:05:12,080 Speaker 2: At one time. Just a kind of funny story. 107 00:05:12,779 --> 00:05:15,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, you can get in trouble for that, as you 108 00:05:15,100 --> 00:05:15,460 Speaker 1: know now. 109 00:05:16,460 --> 00:05:18,980 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, there is a code section for impersonating 110 00:05:19,080 --> 00:05:20,480 Speaker 3: a law enforcement officer. 111 00:05:20,500 --> 00:05:22,660 Speaker 2: Yeah, for sure. It's funny. 112 00:05:23,440 --> 00:05:27,180 Speaker 1: So tell me about your music career, though. You're a 113 00:05:27,230 --> 00:05:30,170 Speaker 1: country artist. You're a Christian. So how do those two 114 00:05:30,230 --> 00:05:33,630 Speaker 1: meet right now in terms of your songs and your songwriting? 115 00:05:34,630 --> 00:05:37,179 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think it has a lot to do with everything, really. 116 00:05:37,240 --> 00:05:40,080 Speaker 3: I mean, some of my stuff's faith-based, but I mean, 117 00:05:40,100 --> 00:05:43,040 Speaker 3: I think that it all starts at the top with 118 00:05:43,060 --> 00:05:43,540 Speaker 3: your faith. 119 00:05:44,480 --> 00:05:46,140 Speaker 2: If you don't have that, I don't really feel like 120 00:05:46,180 --> 00:05:49,039 Speaker 2: you have anything. But anyway, it works out really well. 121 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:51,640 Speaker 3: And I can share a story with you about that, too, 122 00:05:51,680 --> 00:05:54,760 Speaker 3: about a certain song that kind of changed my life 123 00:05:54,839 --> 00:05:55,320 Speaker 3: as far as. 124 00:05:55,680 --> 00:05:56,300 Speaker 2: Go ahead, yeah. 125 00:05:56,680 --> 00:05:57,099 Speaker 1: Please do. 126 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:03,050 Speaker 3: So obviously, you know, we all fall short from the 127 00:06:03,110 --> 00:06:05,750 Speaker 3: Lord at some point in life. And, you know, it 128 00:06:05,770 --> 00:06:09,000 Speaker 3: was about four years ago. And not that I was 129 00:06:09,500 --> 00:06:11,839 Speaker 3: too distant from the Lord, but, you know, I wasn't 100%. 130 00:06:11,839 --> 00:06:16,260 Speaker 3: And I don't think we're never 100%, even though sometimes 131 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:19,000 Speaker 3: we try to be 100%. You know, I was sitting 132 00:06:19,050 --> 00:06:21,570 Speaker 3: in my little room with a piano and I play 133 00:06:21,589 --> 00:06:21,909 Speaker 3: a little. 134 00:06:21,790 --> 00:06:22,650 Speaker 2: Bit of acoustic guitar. 135 00:06:22,670 --> 00:06:25,950 Speaker 3: And I was just trying to write the next best 136 00:06:25,990 --> 00:06:28,089 Speaker 3: country song. And a lot of times when I get 137 00:06:28,130 --> 00:06:29,710 Speaker 3: a melody in my head, I'll sit down and just 138 00:06:29,750 --> 00:06:31,770 Speaker 3: kind of strum the guitar to get kind of like 139 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:34,990 Speaker 3: a rhythm. And man, I was just sitting there and 140 00:06:35,029 --> 00:06:36,570 Speaker 3: I was thinking, you know, this is going to be 141 00:06:36,610 --> 00:06:39,270 Speaker 3: a country song, you know, the next, the hot hit 142 00:06:39,570 --> 00:06:42,810 Speaker 3: on the top 100 or whatever, you know, and I'm 143 00:06:42,850 --> 00:06:46,419 Speaker 3: strumming this powerful, like get this powerful melody in my head. 144 00:06:47,180 --> 00:06:50,620 Speaker 3: And I said, where's Superman when you need him? You know, 145 00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:53,159 Speaker 3: where's the parachute when you're falling? You know, where's the 146 00:06:53,180 --> 00:06:55,580 Speaker 3: stars in the sky when you're wishing? And where's the 147 00:06:55,620 --> 00:06:58,339 Speaker 3: love in your life that you're missing? As soon as 148 00:06:58,380 --> 00:07:03,090 Speaker 3: I got to there, I said, wow, man, this isn't a, 149 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:06,200 Speaker 3: this isn't just a country song. This is, this is 150 00:07:06,240 --> 00:07:09,620 Speaker 3: something talking to me here. And I kept going, but I, 151 00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:14,920 Speaker 3: the minute I, I realized that I had this overwhelming 152 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:19,120 Speaker 3: presence that I can't really explain today, but I just, 153 00:07:19,350 --> 00:07:22,010 Speaker 3: I'm not a man of a tears of those time. 154 00:07:22,050 --> 00:07:24,310 Speaker 3: My wife's never seen me cry or anything like that. 155 00:07:24,970 --> 00:07:27,470 Speaker 3: And I couldn't stop the tears coming from my eyes 156 00:07:27,490 --> 00:07:28,489 Speaker 3: for about a half hour. 157 00:07:29,810 --> 00:07:30,950 Speaker 2: It was so bad. I went to the. 158 00:07:30,890 --> 00:07:33,440 Speaker 3: Bathroom and, you know, my, My eyes were all scrunched 159 00:07:33,580 --> 00:07:36,240 Speaker 3: up and I was afraid my wife has a salon downstairs. 160 00:07:36,260 --> 00:07:38,140 Speaker 3: And I was afraid she's going to come up and 161 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:40,140 Speaker 3: see me crying and say, Chris, what's wrong with you? 162 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:43,540 Speaker 3: And it took me about a half hour to finally 163 00:07:43,560 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 3: get myself together. And I just realized I was hit 164 00:07:46,820 --> 00:07:49,520 Speaker 3: with the Holy Spirit. And I told myself, you know, 165 00:07:49,840 --> 00:07:53,000 Speaker 3: the song's called Let Him In. And I finished that 166 00:07:53,020 --> 00:07:55,930 Speaker 3: song right away. And I told myself the next session 167 00:07:55,970 --> 00:07:57,510 Speaker 3: I have in Nashville, that's going to be the next 168 00:07:57,550 --> 00:07:58,330 Speaker 3: song I cut. 169 00:07:59,310 --> 00:08:01,010 Speaker 2: But yeah, it was just a very powerful. 170 00:08:00,690 --> 00:08:04,350 Speaker 3: Moment that I think changed my whole perception of what 171 00:08:04,390 --> 00:08:08,310 Speaker 3: I wanted to do with my artistry moving forward. 172 00:08:09,210 --> 00:08:13,010 Speaker 2: But it was a very, very powerful moment from a guy. 173 00:08:12,770 --> 00:08:16,970 Speaker 3: That's been hit with a 25 volt tape, 25,000 volt taser. 174 00:08:17,690 --> 00:08:21,960 Speaker 3: And the feeling that I had from that presence of 175 00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:26,000 Speaker 3: that day, I don't think a taser has anything on it. 176 00:08:26,140 --> 00:08:26,720 Speaker 2: Amen to that. 177 00:08:27,100 --> 00:08:30,910 Speaker 1: Not many people can, Compare the two. So that's an 178 00:08:30,950 --> 00:08:31,950 Speaker 1: amazing comparison. 179 00:08:32,230 --> 00:08:33,950 Speaker 2: For those who are wondering, by the way, you're off duty. 180 00:08:33,970 --> 00:08:34,550 Speaker 3: You're heading home. 181 00:08:35,250 --> 00:08:37,010 Speaker 2: You're sitting, of course, in your car. Just wanted people 182 00:08:37,030 --> 00:08:37,410 Speaker 2: to know that. 183 00:08:37,429 --> 00:08:41,209 Speaker 1: You have another song that's been on the charts. 184 00:08:41,770 --> 00:08:42,730 Speaker 2: What Do You Want? 185 00:08:44,030 --> 00:08:45,170 Speaker 1: It was the story behind that song. 186 00:08:46,270 --> 00:08:49,500 Speaker 3: So we had a show. So I have a full band, 187 00:08:49,580 --> 00:08:51,939 Speaker 3: and then we try to do a good bit of 188 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:55,660 Speaker 3: shows throughout the year. And we opened up for Drew Baldrige. 189 00:08:55,720 --> 00:08:57,320 Speaker 3: If you heard of Drew Baldrige, he's had a number 190 00:08:57,520 --> 00:09:00,510 Speaker 3: one She's Somebody's Daughter. He's in the top 10 with 191 00:09:00,550 --> 00:09:04,719 Speaker 3: tough people. We opened up for him last year here 192 00:09:04,760 --> 00:09:06,719 Speaker 3: in Winchester for our Apple Blossom event. 193 00:09:06,740 --> 00:09:08,360 Speaker 2: And I was kind of intrigued. 194 00:09:08,400 --> 00:09:10,320 Speaker 3: I dug a little bit into Drew's story, how he 195 00:09:10,580 --> 00:09:14,059 Speaker 3: went viral on TikTok and how he came about his 196 00:09:14,120 --> 00:09:17,400 Speaker 3: music career. And I was kind of intrigued about, you know, 197 00:09:17,420 --> 00:09:20,020 Speaker 3: he went viral with the song She's Somebody's Daughter and 198 00:09:20,059 --> 00:09:22,260 Speaker 3: he thought labels were going to call and they didn't call. 199 00:09:22,300 --> 00:09:24,709 Speaker 3: So what he did, he researched, he hired a guy 200 00:09:24,730 --> 00:09:28,120 Speaker 3: named Louie Newman at the time. And Louie Newman got 201 00:09:28,140 --> 00:09:31,000 Speaker 3: with some other people in the industry. And, you know, 202 00:09:31,020 --> 00:09:33,480 Speaker 3: they promoted that song. It took about 14 months. And, 203 00:09:34,120 --> 00:09:35,420 Speaker 3: you know, he was an independent and he got a 204 00:09:35,440 --> 00:09:39,439 Speaker 3: number one. You know, that changed his career path. So 205 00:09:40,340 --> 00:09:43,450 Speaker 3: I was very interested. And, you know, I kind of 206 00:09:43,750 --> 00:09:47,610 Speaker 3: had a buddy. I found Louie's number through Google search. 207 00:09:48,110 --> 00:09:50,510 Speaker 3: And I had a buddy reach out to Louie. Louie 208 00:09:50,550 --> 00:09:53,890 Speaker 3: was very receptive, very responsive, very cool. He called us. 209 00:09:54,050 --> 00:09:57,020 Speaker 3: And at that point, he wanted to help me. He 210 00:09:57,040 --> 00:09:59,589 Speaker 3: liked my story, so I had to get him a 211 00:09:59,610 --> 00:10:01,790 Speaker 3: good song. that he felt that was strong for radio. 212 00:10:02,650 --> 00:10:06,320 Speaker 3: You know, let's just say, uh, after about eight to 213 00:10:06,320 --> 00:10:09,220 Speaker 3: 10 songs, I pitched him. Everything I was pitching was 214 00:10:09,260 --> 00:10:12,020 Speaker 3: pretty good, but he's like, yeah, not there, not there yet. 215 00:10:12,900 --> 00:10:15,270 Speaker 3: And finally, uh, I pitched him this demo to what 216 00:10:15,290 --> 00:10:18,810 Speaker 3: do you want? And, uh, He was in California, so 217 00:10:18,929 --> 00:10:21,770 Speaker 3: he's three hours before us. And he called my buddy 218 00:10:21,809 --> 00:10:24,469 Speaker 3: and me about midnight. 219 00:10:24,030 --> 00:10:26,079 Speaker 2: And said, oh, man, this is it. Stomped his feet. 220 00:10:26,120 --> 00:10:28,260 Speaker 2: This is it. This is a hit. This is it. 221 00:10:29,040 --> 00:10:31,560 Speaker 3: But the funny thing about the way this song came about, 222 00:10:32,260 --> 00:10:35,600 Speaker 3: after like the ninth attempt of trying to impress Louie 223 00:10:35,640 --> 00:10:37,470 Speaker 3: for something that was good enough for what he thought, 224 00:10:37,929 --> 00:10:40,150 Speaker 3: Percussion Radio, I looked at my wife one night and 225 00:10:40,170 --> 00:10:42,490 Speaker 3: I said, you know, I don't know what he wants. 226 00:10:42,950 --> 00:10:44,750 Speaker 3: I've sent him nine songs and I thought they were 227 00:10:44,790 --> 00:10:48,880 Speaker 3: all good. And she looked at me, she says, what 228 00:10:48,900 --> 00:10:51,580 Speaker 3: do you want would be a good song title? I 229 00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:54,679 Speaker 3: got to thinking, I'm like, yeah, it probably would be. 230 00:10:54,700 --> 00:10:58,100 Speaker 3: So I'm thinking like relationships, you know, how when you 231 00:10:58,140 --> 00:11:01,040 Speaker 3: were younger and, you know, maybe the girl didn't like 232 00:11:01,059 --> 00:11:03,260 Speaker 3: you anymore and she was scared to tell you. So 233 00:11:03,300 --> 00:11:06,750 Speaker 3: she's leading you on, stringing you on, whatever, or maybe 234 00:11:06,780 --> 00:11:09,350 Speaker 3: vice versa. Maybe I didn't like her and I didn't 235 00:11:09,390 --> 00:11:11,890 Speaker 3: have the heart to tell her. So I just start building, 236 00:11:12,110 --> 00:11:14,690 Speaker 3: you know, a chorus and building some lyrics around there. 237 00:11:15,770 --> 00:11:17,250 Speaker 3: And that's how I really came up with a song 238 00:11:17,330 --> 00:11:20,829 Speaker 3: all because of Louie. Cause I couldn't get the right 239 00:11:20,850 --> 00:11:21,450 Speaker 3: song for him. 240 00:11:21,770 --> 00:11:33,719 Speaker 2: And my wife kind of gave me the idea. That's 241 00:11:33,780 --> 00:11:34,439 Speaker 2: an amazing story. 242 00:11:34,620 --> 00:11:35,910 Speaker 1: I was going to ask you if you're going to, 243 00:11:36,360 --> 00:11:39,030 Speaker 1: I would think it's kind of discouraging and disheartening to 244 00:11:39,070 --> 00:11:43,550 Speaker 1: send somebody that many songs and get rejected. So it's, 245 00:11:43,590 --> 00:11:44,880 Speaker 1: what do you want? Is it, is it kind of a, 246 00:11:45,460 --> 00:11:47,199 Speaker 1: I guess it's got a romantic tinge to it. Is that, 247 00:11:47,280 --> 00:11:48,160 Speaker 1: is that the heart behind it? 248 00:11:49,360 --> 00:11:52,600 Speaker 2: It's kind of, I wouldn't say it's upbeat. It has 249 00:11:52,620 --> 00:11:54,160 Speaker 2: a good, a good drive to it. 250 00:11:54,200 --> 00:11:57,059 Speaker 3: It's not really romantic, but it's kind of like, Hey, 251 00:11:57,080 --> 00:11:59,850 Speaker 3: you know, I'm tired of waiting on maybes, you know, 252 00:11:59,870 --> 00:12:00,849 Speaker 3: I don't want to, I don't want to be a 253 00:12:00,870 --> 00:12:03,050 Speaker 3: strong one. I don't want to wait on maybe, well, 254 00:12:03,070 --> 00:12:06,070 Speaker 3: let's tell me yes or no. And let's move on 255 00:12:06,090 --> 00:12:08,730 Speaker 3: from here. One or the other, I'll be happy, you know, 256 00:12:08,790 --> 00:12:11,350 Speaker 3: one way or the other. So basically it's just like 257 00:12:11,390 --> 00:12:14,910 Speaker 3: a song of just to, just to say, Hey, Do 258 00:12:14,960 --> 00:12:15,700 Speaker 3: you want me or not? 259 00:12:16,429 --> 00:12:17,660 Speaker 2: Make up your mind kind of thing. 260 00:12:17,679 --> 00:12:21,160 Speaker 3: And I think it is a common thing that people 261 00:12:21,179 --> 00:12:23,420 Speaker 3: can relate to in life. A lot of times we 262 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:25,380 Speaker 3: get strung on whether it's a job or whether it's, 263 00:12:25,940 --> 00:12:29,079 Speaker 3: whether it's a relationship or whatever, you know, and that's 264 00:12:29,100 --> 00:12:30,620 Speaker 3: just kind of how, how it came about. 265 00:12:30,780 --> 00:12:33,179 Speaker 2: And, uh, I love that. I love that. 266 00:12:33,780 --> 00:12:36,620 Speaker 1: And you recently, I believe signed with saddle up records, uh, 267 00:12:36,900 --> 00:12:40,660 Speaker 1: and Louie, Louie Newman. What does having the label behind 268 00:12:40,700 --> 00:12:42,920 Speaker 1: you mean for you at this stage of your career? 269 00:12:43,809 --> 00:12:46,250 Speaker 3: Well, I think it means everything. I mean, Louie has 270 00:12:46,290 --> 00:12:49,150 Speaker 3: been around the industry. Incredible guy. 271 00:12:50,090 --> 00:12:50,790 Speaker 2: So knowledgeable. 272 00:12:50,809 --> 00:12:55,650 Speaker 3: And he's been at several labels. He's worked with records 273 00:12:55,690 --> 00:12:59,030 Speaker 3: all the way back since George Strait. I mean, he's 274 00:12:59,070 --> 00:13:02,069 Speaker 3: promoted everybody at Country Radio. And to have somebody like 275 00:13:02,130 --> 00:13:05,330 Speaker 3: Louie believe in me and believe in my song and 276 00:13:05,390 --> 00:13:07,770 Speaker 3: represent me, it gives me credibility. 277 00:13:08,490 --> 00:13:12,320 Speaker 2: It gives me hope. And it gives me faith. I 278 00:13:12,360 --> 00:13:14,710 Speaker 2: know he's going to get the job done. I don't know. 279 00:13:14,890 --> 00:13:17,350 Speaker 2: You know, I can't predict what he's going to do, 280 00:13:17,410 --> 00:13:18,729 Speaker 2: but I know he's going to get it done. 281 00:13:19,270 --> 00:13:21,849 Speaker 1: Yeah. You have an incredible, unique story. I think a 282 00:13:21,890 --> 00:13:25,080 Speaker 1: lot of people just embrace what you're trying to do. 283 00:13:25,120 --> 00:13:27,459 Speaker 1: And of course, you're trying to become the first active 284 00:13:27,500 --> 00:13:31,559 Speaker 1: duty deputy sheriff, if I have this phrasing right, to 285 00:13:31,980 --> 00:13:36,579 Speaker 1: earn a billboard country airplay hit while continuing to serve 286 00:13:36,600 --> 00:13:39,520 Speaker 1: in uniform. How far along are you on that goal? 287 00:13:39,740 --> 00:13:41,280 Speaker 1: And what would it mean for you to finally reach 288 00:13:41,300 --> 00:13:41,560 Speaker 1: that goal? 289 00:13:42,960 --> 00:13:44,180 Speaker 2: So we're really close. 290 00:13:44,240 --> 00:13:47,599 Speaker 3: I mean, I think we just started hitting the chart 291 00:13:47,660 --> 00:13:50,730 Speaker 3: hard the beginning of September. That's when I rolled over 292 00:13:50,760 --> 00:13:53,350 Speaker 3: with Louie. I started out with another guy named Will Robinson. 293 00:13:53,610 --> 00:13:56,290 Speaker 3: He kind of got me some traction, got me my 294 00:13:56,309 --> 00:13:59,910 Speaker 3: first five ads. I'm a little cheaper at the time. 295 00:14:00,050 --> 00:14:02,650 Speaker 3: And then I finally felt like I had enough traction 296 00:14:03,170 --> 00:14:04,630 Speaker 3: to reach out to Louie. I said, hey, are you 297 00:14:04,650 --> 00:14:06,710 Speaker 3: all ready to take this as far as we can 298 00:14:06,750 --> 00:14:11,390 Speaker 3: take it? So I think that the chart starts at 140. 299 00:14:11,390 --> 00:14:16,400 Speaker 3: We are already at, I think, 81 as of last week. 300 00:14:16,840 --> 00:14:18,700 Speaker 3: We'll see what happens next week if we pick up 301 00:14:18,760 --> 00:14:21,400 Speaker 3: any new ads. But it's a slow process, but I'm 302 00:14:21,440 --> 00:14:26,220 Speaker 3: happy that we have moved from 140 in the 80s 303 00:14:26,820 --> 00:14:27,600 Speaker 3: in a couple months. 304 00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:30,540 Speaker 1: Yeah, so what does the chart start at then? Is 305 00:14:30,640 --> 00:14:31,720 Speaker 1: it 50? 306 00:14:31,720 --> 00:14:34,300 Speaker 2: The chart starts at 140. Okay. 307 00:14:34,820 --> 00:14:37,080 Speaker 3: So we're in the 80s, but to actually say that 308 00:14:37,100 --> 00:14:41,460 Speaker 3: you've charted country radio, media-based country radio, That starts at 50. 309 00:14:41,460 --> 00:14:44,240 Speaker 3: I mean, we're in the top 100, but when you 310 00:14:44,280 --> 00:14:47,360 Speaker 3: say charted, it has to be 50 or below. So 311 00:14:47,380 --> 00:14:50,340 Speaker 3: we are almost halfway there. 312 00:14:52,320 --> 00:14:54,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah. We're cheering you on. Lots of people are 313 00:14:54,540 --> 00:14:57,580 Speaker 2: behind you here. Do you sing on week? 314 00:14:57,920 --> 00:15:00,239 Speaker 1: How does this work for you practically? You work in 315 00:15:00,260 --> 00:15:03,260 Speaker 1: the daytime. Do you sing on weekends? How does this 316 00:15:03,340 --> 00:15:04,020 Speaker 1: work throughout the year? 317 00:15:05,040 --> 00:15:07,540 Speaker 2: They say the struggle is real. The juggle is real. 318 00:15:07,560 --> 00:15:12,240 Speaker 3: Yeah. No, yeah, most of the time I'm doing shows 319 00:15:12,300 --> 00:15:16,040 Speaker 3: on the weekends. We do have a show, just for example, 320 00:15:16,060 --> 00:15:18,780 Speaker 3: we have a show this Saturday down in Frederick, Maryland. 321 00:15:18,840 --> 00:15:22,610 Speaker 3: We open up for Warren Ziders, which is a pretty 322 00:15:22,650 --> 00:15:27,770 Speaker 3: current hot country dude that's at the peak of his 323 00:15:27,830 --> 00:15:29,590 Speaker 3: career right now. So that's going to be a big show. 324 00:15:29,610 --> 00:15:35,170 Speaker 3: That should be about maybe 6,000 people, you estimate. But yeah, typically, 325 00:15:35,230 --> 00:15:38,250 Speaker 3: just like not last weekend, before we played two shows, 326 00:15:38,290 --> 00:15:41,090 Speaker 3: we opened up for Aaron Tippin on Friday night, and 327 00:15:41,110 --> 00:15:44,220 Speaker 3: then we played a headline show Saturday night. 328 00:15:44,510 --> 00:15:47,280 Speaker 2: So most of them were on the weekend. Sometimes I'll 329 00:15:47,300 --> 00:15:49,780 Speaker 2: do stuff during the week. It just depends what it is. 330 00:15:52,080 --> 00:15:54,080 Speaker 1: Before we close here, tell me about your faith. You 331 00:15:54,200 --> 00:15:55,620 Speaker 1: told us a little bit about your faith, but did 332 00:15:55,640 --> 00:15:59,320 Speaker 1: you grow up in a household of faith? And if yes, 333 00:15:59,340 --> 00:16:00,780 Speaker 1: did you get kind of more serious about your faith 334 00:16:00,820 --> 00:16:01,260 Speaker 1: later in life? 335 00:16:02,440 --> 00:16:05,400 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's kind of been, well, I've always had strong faith. 336 00:16:05,440 --> 00:16:06,000 Speaker 2: Let's put that. 337 00:16:06,100 --> 00:16:10,240 Speaker 3: I grew up, you know, both my parents were heavily faith-based. 338 00:16:10,830 --> 00:16:14,290 Speaker 3: Went to church when I was little. I remember, you know, 339 00:16:14,310 --> 00:16:18,150 Speaker 3: being four years old, just drawing this perfect picture of Jesus, 340 00:16:18,790 --> 00:16:21,270 Speaker 3: you know, and just being infatuated of just the way 341 00:16:21,310 --> 00:16:24,160 Speaker 3: he looked and the side profile from all the pictures 342 00:16:24,220 --> 00:16:27,200 Speaker 3: I seen growing up. And then, you know, as you 343 00:16:27,220 --> 00:16:30,420 Speaker 3: get older, you kind of, you know, you navigate different 344 00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:34,320 Speaker 3: paths and you kind of, get away from that somewhat 345 00:16:34,520 --> 00:16:37,060 Speaker 3: until you fall back. I think I really fell back 346 00:16:37,240 --> 00:16:40,230 Speaker 3: a lot closer. Like my relationship now, you know, I 347 00:16:40,230 --> 00:16:43,610 Speaker 3: think your church is in here 100%. And I think my, 348 00:16:43,970 --> 00:16:46,970 Speaker 3: my relationship now is stronger, stronger than it's ever been, 349 00:16:48,010 --> 00:16:51,190 Speaker 3: you know, and as far as paying your tide and 350 00:16:51,210 --> 00:16:54,840 Speaker 3: being obedient, you know, I play worship at church every 351 00:16:54,880 --> 00:16:57,320 Speaker 3: Sunday and that's kind of how I give my tide 352 00:16:57,340 --> 00:17:01,180 Speaker 3: and I want to incorporate my tide into my show. 353 00:17:01,200 --> 00:17:03,350 Speaker 3: So I feel like if, If we have an hour, 354 00:17:03,370 --> 00:17:07,110 Speaker 3: hour and 15 minute show and we're headlining something, you know, 355 00:17:07,210 --> 00:17:11,040 Speaker 3: if I take one song that I wrote for our 356 00:17:11,060 --> 00:17:13,500 Speaker 3: Lord and Savior and I perform that one song and 357 00:17:13,540 --> 00:17:14,900 Speaker 3: talk about him for a little bit, I feel like 358 00:17:14,980 --> 00:17:19,320 Speaker 3: I'm giving my tide back to him. And I feel 359 00:17:19,359 --> 00:17:21,640 Speaker 3: like that's what he wants me to do. I made 360 00:17:21,660 --> 00:17:23,570 Speaker 3: a deal with him. I pray every night and I 361 00:17:23,590 --> 00:17:25,889 Speaker 3: feel like he's the only one that can move mountains 362 00:17:25,950 --> 00:17:26,930 Speaker 3: and get me there. 363 00:17:27,230 --> 00:17:29,859 Speaker 2: So. Amen to that. Amen to that. 364 00:17:29,940 --> 00:17:31,439 Speaker 1: And what's next for you? Is there anything that you 365 00:17:31,460 --> 00:17:33,870 Speaker 1: haven't told us about that we should be looking forward to? 366 00:17:34,920 --> 00:17:35,960 Speaker 2: Yes, I'm still moving. 367 00:17:36,420 --> 00:17:38,830 Speaker 3: You know, even though we're promoting this to major radio 368 00:17:39,030 --> 00:17:42,490 Speaker 3: and I feel good about it, I'm releasing another song 369 00:17:42,510 --> 00:17:45,190 Speaker 3: called Do It Anyway, which is going to be dropping 370 00:17:45,970 --> 00:17:48,610 Speaker 3: October the 30th next month. That's another song I cut 371 00:17:48,650 --> 00:17:51,790 Speaker 3: when I cut What Do You Want? So, yeah, I'm 372 00:17:51,830 --> 00:17:53,990 Speaker 3: still trying to put out new music as well and 373 00:17:54,070 --> 00:17:57,510 Speaker 3: keep up with my social media. And yeah, just rocking 374 00:17:57,530 --> 00:17:59,230 Speaker 3: and rolling, sitting in a cruiser, getting ready to go 375 00:17:59,270 --> 00:18:01,689 Speaker 3: home and do it all over again tomorrow. 376 00:18:02,109 --> 00:18:04,750 Speaker 2: I didn't write the website down. What's the website, Chris? 377 00:18:05,630 --> 00:18:09,810 Speaker 3: So my main website is chrisdarlington.com. And then all my socials, 378 00:18:09,869 --> 00:18:15,649 Speaker 3: like for instance, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram is chrisdarlingtonmusic. And then 379 00:18:16,310 --> 00:18:19,080 Speaker 3: the two meta platforms, Instagram and Facebook, have the little 380 00:18:19,119 --> 00:18:22,580 Speaker 3: blue check mark just to make sure people don't go 381 00:18:22,600 --> 00:18:23,139 Speaker 3: to the wrong one. 382 00:18:24,170 --> 00:18:26,990 Speaker 1: He's the best singing law enforcement officer in America. 383 00:18:27,010 --> 00:18:27,889 Speaker 2: He's Chris Darlington. 384 00:18:28,030 --> 00:18:29,230 Speaker 1: Hey, Chris, thanks so much. 385 00:18:29,930 --> 00:18:33,590 Speaker 2: Hey, thanks for having me, brother. Appreciate you. 386 00:18:34,290 --> 00:18:36,950 Speaker 4: If you enjoyed today's interview, please make sure to subscribe 387 00:18:37,020 --> 00:18:39,379 Speaker 4: and share the episode with a friend. A big thanks 388 00:18:39,670 --> 00:18:41,900 Speaker 4: to the team at Life Audio for their partnership with 389 00:18:42,020 --> 00:18:45,379 Speaker 4: us on the podcast. If you go to lifeaudio.com, you 390 00:18:45,400 --> 00:18:49,980 Speaker 4: will find dozens of other faith-centered podcasts in their network. 391 00:18:50,500 --> 00:18:51,080 Speaker 2: See you next time.