August Christopher: The Hardest Working Band You've Never Heard Of.

Nashville rock band, August Christopher, have made an in-depth documentary and they put it all out on the table for everyone to see. This rollercoaster of a film takes you behind the scenes of a band who has been trying to break through the music industry for over a decade. They tell the story of Criss Cheatham and his persistence to make his passion for music his career and all the hoops he, and his revolving door of bandmates, have gone through in 15 years.

August Christopher began in 1998 with original members Jay Lessert (drums), Steve “The Bone” Sheroan (guitar), Joel Edwards (bass), and founder Criss Cheatham (vocals, guitar) made it to 2005 before disbanding. Their program director at the time, Jeff Morgan, says “there was a time I considered August Christopher to be the next hottest band in America. To me, it was a rock and roll tragedy that they never got signed and never got that chance,” in the opening of the documentary.

Throughout the documentary you see that glimmer of sheer talent when they perform on stage. Cheatham’s high energy and wild antics, in addition to the music, is what reeled people in. Climbing up on the speakers, jumping, stage diving, freestyle rapping, and making fun of audience members is what you could expect to see during their set. One of the more unique aspects of their performances is the fact they never practiced. They had a completely on the fly set where they learned to silently communicate with each other to see what to play next.

The documentary takes you through the trials and tribulations of a small-town band trying to live the dream as a successful American rock band. In 2005 that dream was put on hold when guitarist, Sheroan, literally packed up his equipment in the middle of a set and left. The others soon followed, and Cheatham continued as an acoustic solo artist. During his time alone, he broke the Guinness World Record for the longest show performed by a solo artist and soon after left the rock scene indefinitely.

We watch him drum for duo country band, Bomshel, and attempt to rebuild August Christopher with new members before his life of drugs, alcohol and partying destroyed his marriage and his band. Criss Cheatham was not a man who easily threw in the towel and we watch as he gets clean and yet again rebuilds August Christopher with new members. With Corey Boise on drums and Steve Price on guitar, the trio set out to continue the band on their own.

The most impressive thing about August Christopher is the list of accomplishments they have without ever signing to a record label. Credited as the official last band to play at Nashville’s Starwood Amphitheater, opening and sharing stages with acts like Ludacris, Sugar Ray, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Train, and raising money to shoot their own music videos. For most local bands, the hardships that this band has gone through would have been enough to make anyone quit for good – but not Criss Cheatham.

.While August Christopher officially disbanded in December of 2012, Cheatham continued his passion for music creating a full recording studio in his home. Performing over 3,000 shows, opening for world renowned bands, and four studio albums later, August Christopher is still performing with Boise and Price back on drums and guitar and occasionally playing gigs around the Middle Tennessee area. Cheatham also still performs as a solo artist for local events and benefits.

For more information on upcoming shows, merchandise, and to see throwback videos and photos from the good old days, check out their Facebook page, August Christopher Band, here. You can watch their documentary, “All or Nothing (the story of August Christopher)”, on Amazon Prime at this link.

*Photos courtesy of August Christopher.