Christopher David Byers

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About

Christopher David Byers first got into music after his sister died of a rare childhood cancer. She was first diagnosed at six and lost her life at eight. He picked up the guitar at 16, learning from YouTube and by ear. Playing and singing became his own music therapy, a way to work through the grief and turn it into, in his words, "beauty and connection to others who may have similar pain."

Today he's 11 years into recovery. He's alchemized that grief and pain into a passion for music, and for helping other musicians grow and get connected in the music community.

Based in Oregon's Linn-Benton area, he plays indie folk blues with some Americana in the mix. He sings lead and plays lead electric guitar in the six-piece band Unfamiliar Friends, and plays solo and duo shows too. He's played Music in the Park in Philomath and the Dallas Theater. As a 2026 finalist in Tallman Brewing's Tappin' Talent Search, he won six hours of studio time, which the band is using to record original songs. His six-song solo EP comes out December 16, 2026.

On stage: a 1986 Japanese-made Stratocaster, a Fender Deluxe Reverb, a Martin acoustic, a 12-string, and a harmonica.

Music

Unfamiliar Friends

Unfamiliar Friends is a six-piece folk-rock band that grew out of the open mics at Dixie Creek Saloon, with Chris on lead vocals and lead guitar. In his words, a show "feels like a party, and people dance and rock out."

Bandcamp Buy Me a Coffee

Photos