Raised in the north woods of Michigan, Kris’ earliest memories of music include bouncing down the road in a 1978 GMC pickup listening to 8 track tapes of The Beach Boys, John Denver and Conway Twitty while trying to sing the words to Hello Darlin’.  Involved in group singing throughout his childhood, he studied the trombone and piano as a youth which took him to Europe for two summers to share his love of music, specifically jazz. 

In 1995 Kris moved to Helena, Montana and Bozeman in 1997.  In 2000 he formed an acoustic trio with Josh Heins and Sally Newsome which sparked his passion for the acoustic bass.  After a  short absence from Bozeman’s music scene, which included the damp and rich musical haven of Bellingham, WA—where he fell in love with the upright bass—and the warmth of a small community of musicians in interior Alaska, Kris returned to Bozeman.  Shortly thereafter he rejoined Sally Newsome to form the acoustic band, The Norris Hot Strings, and begin his journey towards old time country.  Along the way he joined renowned singer/songwriter John Lowell and mandolin virtuoso Tom Murphy to form The John Lowell Trio. 

It was at this point that Kris rejoined Josh Heins and returned to his roots.  Ten Foot Tall and 80 Proof was formed.

A prolific and talented songwriter, Kris’ originals featured in Ten Foot Tall reflect his flavor of country music, “if it ain’t about whiskey, women or trains it ain’t 80 proof!”