Chris Lozano: From a Coal Mining Town to Nashville’s Studio C

Country-rock artist Chris Lozano didn’t come from a music industry family. He grew up in Paonia, Colorado, a small coal mining town where his graduating class had just 40 people - and where hard work wasn’t a slogan, it was a way of life.In this episode of SoCal Soundcheck, Chris shares the story behind his journey: singing Motown and classic country as a kid, getting pulled out of middle school detention by a choir teacher who heard something in his voice, meeting the woman who would become his wife, serving in the Marine Corps, and eventually finding his way into country music.Chris also talks about how his military background shaped his songwriting, especially on songs like “Boots on Sacred Ground,” written for the Marines, military members who never came home, and the Gold Star families who carry that loss every day. In one of the most emotional moments of the conversation, Chris explains that he doesn’t write to impress everyone — he writes so the people the song is meant for can feel seen.The episode also goes deep into Chris’s Nashville recording experience at Historic RCA Studio C, working with producer Eddie Gore, and learning from the kind of session musicians who have played with major artists across country, rock, and Americana. Chris shares stories about walking the same halls as legends, tracking with Nashville players, and learning how small changes in songwriting, phrasing, production, and performance can turn a song into something that connects.Chris also opens up about the grind of booking, building a band, getting rejected, and staying persistent:“For every yes I’ve got, I’ve gotten probably like 20, 30 no’s. So don’t take the no’s as you’re a failure.”That mindset runs through the whole conversation - from Paonia to the Marine Corps, from karaoke nights to Nashville, from local shows to national stages.In this episodeGrowing up in a small coal mining town in ColoradoHow Chris first discovered his voiceMeeting his wife in middle schoolServing in the Marine Corps and learning guitar while stationed in HawaiiWriting songs with emotional weight and personal meaningThe story behind “Boots on Sacred Ground”Recording at Historic RCA Studio C in NashvilleWorking with producer Eddie GoreNashville takeaways, session players, and songwriting lessonsThe reality of booking shows and hearing “no” again and againBuilding the Chris Lozano Band and taking country-rock on the roadFeatured/mentioned: Chris Lozano Band, Eddie Gore, Historic RCA Studio C, Bekka Bramlett, Tim Buppert, Steve Mackey, Dane Bryant, Tyler Cain, Jared Kneale, Erik Peterson, Toby Keith, Jason Aldean, Billy Gibbons, Eric Clapton, Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, Elvis Presley, Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson.Follow Chris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrislozanocountry/Website: https://chrislozanoband.com/SoCal Soundcheck is sponsored by Tsunami Cables.SoCal Soundcheck is proud to be sponsored by Tsunami Cables. These are high-quality, dependable cables built for working musicians, serious players, and anyone who values gear that performs night after night.When your signal matters, your cable matters.Use promo code SOCALSOUND at checkout for 10% off your order at TsunamiCables.com.