Multi-award-winning American country music star Chris Golden is dreaming of following in his beloved late brother and fellow musician Rusty’s footsteps and stepping out on stage in Bahrain.
He is currently on a sell-out tour of the US and dreams of visiting the kingdom after ‘hearing so many good things’ about the island of smiles and the Middle East base to more than 7,000 American servicemen.
“I’d like to see where my brother Rusty stayed and played,” he told GDN Media. “Bahrain is not on the schedule ... but you never know!”
Golden is currently celebrating another stellar year in the music industry. His recent accolades include Entertainer of the Year at the Inspirational Country Music Association Awards (ICMA) and other awards include Absolutely Gospel Country Artist of the Year.
His ability to captivate an audience with an inspirational message has afforded him opportunities to perform for every living US President and appear on prestigious stages such as The Ryman Auditorium, The Grand Ole Opry House and Dollywood.
In addition to his own endeavours and touring schedule, Golden is an award-winning music producer and is highly decorated throughout various organisations with his most recent honours being ICMA’s 2020 Instrumentalist of the Year and Producer of The Year.
His late brother, Bahrain’s favourite visiting American country and gospel star William ‘Rusty’ Golden, died suddenly at the age of 65 at his home in Hendersonville, Tennessee last summer.
Their father, Country Music Hall of Fame and The Oak Ridge Boys member William Lee Golden said at the time: “Rusty was a great musician, a talented songwriter and a wonderful son. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers for the days ahead. I love you, son.”
In March of 2020, Rusty and Chris, along with William Lee began working on a vision for a family band called William Lee Golden and The Goldens. They recorded and released 34 songs and were joined on tour by brother Craig, nieces Elizabeth and Rebekah and nephew Elijah making the group a true three-generation family band.
During his annual trips to Bahrain, prior to the global Covid-19 pandemic, Rusty regularly set the stage alight at Big Texas Barbeque & Waffle House inside Best Western Plus – The Olive Hotel in Juffair, helped local acts with recording and performing guidance, as well as playing and singing at regular Friday gospel services at the US naval facility.
Big Texas is owned by Bahrain restaurateur Milly, a distant relative of the Golden brothers’ through marriage, and logistics business executive Radford Cox.
“We all miss Rusty dearly. It would be amazing if Chris were to visit Bahrain to play here too,” Mr Cox added.
Conversations are understood to be taking place with diplomats at the US Embassy in Manama and organisers of the Spring of Culture may also be attracted by Chris Golden’s cultural prominence and crowd-pulling prowess.
managingeditor@gdnmedia.bh
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