Michelle: Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me and answer these questions.
Chris: Not a problem Michelle, my pleasure. It's an honor to be a part of your BOOTLEGGED blog.
Michelle: It's exciting for me too. I've been a huge fan of yours for a year now. I'm in my last year of interior design school. Everything you've done with your whole Urban Prairie lifestyle and designs have inspired me so much.
Chris: Thanks. I say it to everyone who writes me, but it's true. I get great joy out of knowing I have inspired people with my design work and all the different aspects that Urban Prairie encompasses.
Michelle: Can you tell us how you got started?
Chris: It’s hard to know where to start. Design, collecting and popular culture definitely played a big part when I was a child. It seems sometimes that I have lived two lives. The better part of my late teens and throughout my 20’s as a touring musician. Now the second part of my life designing, decorating, collecting and trying to inspire others.
Michelle: How far did you get as a musician and do you still play?
Chris: My band had an interesting run. We were lucky enough to tour with such bands as Tom Petty, The GoGo’s, Men at Work, etc. Along with playing every club in the South and Midwest. My musical career ended a year after a video on MTV. As far as playing goes, my wife and kids are the only ones who still get performances.
Michelle: How cool. When did you get the idea for Urban Prairie?
Chris: As I had mentioned, graphic and interior design have always played a huge part in my life. Simply put, I started experimenting with my own home. Friends and guest started asking advice. I ended up decorating their homes too and it just snowballed from there. Urban Prairie started a little over two years ago. First as just a site to showcase my collections, style and viewpoints. That too seems to of taken own a life of itself.
Michelle: What’s coming up next for you and Urban Prairie?
Chris: I have a book coming out at the end of June called “Crack Heads”. It’s a showcase of my vintage, cracked and faded doll head collection. I wanted to show people how beautiful and playful such a collection could be. I also have a line of note cards in the works. Pictures and graphics of some of my oddities.
Michelle: I want to thank you so much Chris for taking the time for this interview.
Chris: No, thank you! I wish you the best of luck with your design career.
Michelle: Thanks. You’ve been a huge influence on me.
Photo Credit: D'Ette Cole
