Send us Fan Mail
Deputy sheriff by day. Country singer and songwriter by night.
Chris Darlington joins Skip Clark on the Skip Happens Podcast to share how he balances more than 20 years in law enforcement with a growing country music career.
Chris opens up about serving as a school resource officer, growing up near Winchester, Virginia—the hometown of Patsy Cline—and nearly moving to Nashville before choosing a career behind the badge. He also tells the incredible story of landing a Broadway gig during his very first trip to Music City.
You’ll hear the funny, unexpected story behind his country radio single “What Do You Want,” what it felt like to hear his own song on the radio, and why faith, family and service remain at the center of everything he does.
Chris also discusses working with Saddle Up Records, opening for artists including Drew Baldridge, Frank Ray, Terri Clark, Collin Raye, Sammy Kershaw, Aaron Tippin and Warren Zeiders, and the challenges independent artists face while trying to break through at country radio.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Meet Chris Darlington
01:19 Growing up near Patsy Cline’s hometown
03:25 Discovering music and songwriting
04:14 Choosing law enforcement over Nashville
07:02 His first public performance
08:26 The deputy and the country singer
10:13 Music as therapy
14:32 Becoming a school resource officer
15:37 How Chris writes songs
23:31 The story behind “What Do You Want”
27:05 Hearing his song on the radio
29:05 Recording with Nashville session musicians
31:31 His first Nashville gig
34:32 Handling criticism
35:48 What it takes to reach country radio
37:19 The toughest part of promoting a record
37:40 Joining Saddle Up Records
40:51 Sharing the stage with country artists
42:24 Faith, family and service
46:12 Badge or backstage
54:35 Final thoughts and where to follow Chris
Learn more about Chris Darlington:
https://chrisdarlington.com
Watch more artist conversations and subscribe to Skip Happens:
https://youtube.com/@skiphappenspodcast
Stream “What Do You Want,” follow Chris on social media and request the song from your favorite country radio station.
#ChrisDarlington #CountryMusic #SkipHappensPodcast #IndependentCountryArtist #WhatDoYouWant
Support the show
Thanks for listening! Follow us at youtube.com/@skiphappenspodcast
