Chris Mann (singer)

Christopher Michael Mann (born May 5, 1982)^[1] is an American singer-songwriter and actor from Wichita, Kansas.^[2]

Chris Mann
Mann performing at the 2019 4th of July celebration hosted by the United States Embassy in Berlin
Background information
Birth name	Christopher Michael Mann
Also known as	Chris
Born	(1982-05-05) May 5, 1982 (age 42) Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
Genres	Operatic pop, Classical crossover
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter, Actor
Instrument	vocals
Years active	2004–present
Labels	Universal Republic, Republic
Website	www.chrismannmusic.com

He came in fourth on the second season of NBC's television singing competition The Voice in 2012. Mann came in first on Team Christina Aguilera and represented her in the final round. His album, Constellation, was released on May 6, 2016.

Music career

Early life

After graduating in 2000 from Wichita Southeast High School in Wichita, Kansas, Mann attended Vanderbilt University. He graduated from Vanderbilt's Blair School of Music in 2004 with a degree in vocal performance.^[3] Mann was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity where his pledge name was Buttercup.^{[citation needed]}

After graduation, Mann was cast in an Italian opera in Europe.^[4] After moving to Los Angeles, he obtained numerous studio and group singing gigs, including Dalton Academy "Warbler #6" on an episode of Glee,^[5] the Sundance Film Festival, and the AFI Life Achievement Award 2010.^[6]

His studio work has been featured in the film Avatar, Glee: The 3D Concert Movie, Letters to Juliet, Tangled, Sex and the City 2, The Smurfs, 2012 and The Philanthropist.^[7] His recording of "L.O.V.E." was featured in a commercial^[8] for season two of Khloé & Lamar, and he has recorded music with Heather Headley, performed with Katharine McPhee, and toured with India Arie and Idina Menzel.^[7]

The Voice

Mann participated in the second season of the singing reality show The Voice, ultimately placing fourth.^[9] He was initially chosen by judges Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green after singing Andrea Bocelli's "Because We Believe (Ama Credi E Vai)". He chose to be part of Team Christina Aguilera, on whose team he had hoped to be selected from the start.^[10]

He advanced to the live shows by defeating Monique Benabou in a duet of "The Power of Love". In his first live show, he performed "Bridge over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel, which earned him a pass to the next round by public vote. During the quarter-finals, he covered "Viva la Vida" by Coldplay, and was again selected for advancement to the semi-finals by public vote. He advanced to the finals, edging out Lindsey Pavao, after singing "Ave Maria".

For the finale, he soloed "You Raise Me Up", sang "The Prayer" in a duet with Aguilera, and covered Aguilera's "The Voice Within". During the final results show, Mann performed "Bitter Sweet Symphony" by The Verve for his final performance with previously eliminated semi-finalists Pavao and Katrina Parker.^[11] Mann consistently received praise from the other coaches; Cee Lo Green called Mann's voice "incomparable",^[12] while Blake Shelton called Mann a "powerhouse" and a "really strong singer".^[13]

Performances and results

Chris Mann promoting Roads at Walmart Risers

Episode	Round	Song	Original artist	Order #	Result
1	The Blind Auditions	"Because We Believe (Ama Credi E Vai)"	Andrea Bocelli	5	Cee Lo Green and Christina Aguilera turned Joined Team Christina
6	Battle Rounds	duet "The Power of Love" with Monique Benabou	Jennifer Rush	3	Saved by Coach
10	Live Rounds	"Bridge Over Troubled Water"	Simon & Garfunkel	2	Saved by Public Vote
14	Live Quarter-Final	"Viva la Vida"	Coldplay	8	Saved by Public Vote
18	Live Semi-final	"Ave Maria"	No original artist. Written by Franz Schubert	3	Saved by Public Vote
20	Live Final (coach duet)	duet "The Prayer" with Christina Aguilera	Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli	3	Fourth place
	Live Final (coach tribute)	"The Voice Within"	Christina Aguilera	5
	Live Final (solo performance)	"You Raise Me Up"	Secret Garden	9

Debut album

Mann was planning on releasing a Christmas EP before releasing his full-length studio album.^[14] The EP was released three weeks before the October 30, 2012, release of his debut studio album, Roads.^[15] While the EP was a Walmart exclusive, the album's songs were later released as singles in iTunes.

Chris Mann performs in Rexburg, Idaho, U.S., in 2013

PBS specials

Shortly after the release of his album and Christmas EP, Mann recorded a PBS concert special titled "Chris Mann in Concert: A Mann for all Seasons". The special premiered on WTVS on December 14 and became available for purchase on DVD and CD shortly after that.^[16] The special aired nationwide in March 2013.^[17]

While preparing for the second leg of the tour to promote Roads, Mann announced he had also recorded a Christmas special for PBS. The special, titled Home for Christmas: The Chris Mann Christmas Special, premiered on WTVS on August 17, 2013.^[18]

The Phantom of the Opera

Mann toured for two years with the North American tour of The Phantom of the Opera, in which he played the lead role of the Phantom.^[19] The 2015/2016 tour kicked off on May 27, 2015, at the ASU Gammage Theatre in Tempe, Arizona, US.^[20]

The Voice: Neon Dreams

In 2017, Mann was announced as one of several vocalists from the talent show The Voice to be part of a Las Vegas live concert series titled The Voice: Neon Dreams. It was to also feature season ten winner Alisan Porter, Mary Sarah (season 10), Matthew Schuler (season 5), and Matt McAndrew (season 7), and to be backed by a band led by Michael Sanchez.^[21] It was announced in October 2018 that the show would not go ahead.^[22]

COVID-19 parodies

In 2020, Mann produced several COVID-19-themed musical parodies on YouTube. Several went viral, including parodies of "Hello", originally by Adele, and "Old Town Road".^[23]

Personal life

Mann married his longtime girlfriend, Laura Perloe, in 2013 at Maravilla Gardens in Camarillo, Ventura County in Southern California.^[24]

In May 2017, the couple announced they were expecting their first child, a son named Hugo, who was born later that year.^[25][26]

In October 2020, the couple announced that they were expecting their second child, due in January 2021. On January 11, 2021, Mann and his wife welcomed their second child together, a boy named Rocky.^[27]

Discography

Chris Mann discography
Studio albums	2
Live albums	1
Singles	10
Other charted songs	2
Extended plays	4

Studio albums

Title	Details	Peak chart positions
		US [28]	US Classical [29]	US Heatseekers [30]
Roads	Released: October 30, 2012 Label: Universal Republic Formats: CD, digital download	175	5	1
Constellation	Released: May 6, 2016 Label: Dropped Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download	—	3	4

Live albums

Title	Details	Peak chart positions
		US Classical [29]
Chris Mann in Concert: A Mann for all Seasons	Released: January 1, 2013 Label: Universal Republic Formats: CD, digital download	14

Extended plays

Year	Title	Details	Peak chart positions
			US Classical [29]	US Heatseekers [30]
2009	EP	Released: August 11, 2009 Label: Uppercut Format: digital download	—	—
2011	Chris Mann	Released: October 10, 2011 Label: Dropped Entertainment Format: digital download	—	—
2012	Home for Christmas	Released: October 9, 2012 Label: Universal Republic Format: Digital download, CD (Walmart exclusive)[31]	12	6
2017	Constellation (Unplugged)	Released: November 17, 2017 Label: Dropped Entertainment Format: Digital download	—	—

Singles

As lead artist

Year	Single	Peak chart positions	Album
		US AC [32]
2011	"Beautiful Life"	—	—
	"Pretty Girl"	—	—
2012	"Roads"	30	Roads
	"Unless You Mean It"	—
	"O Come All Ye Faithful"[33]	20	Home for Christmas EP
2015	"L.O.V.E."	—	—
	"Remember Me"	—	—
2016	"Echo"	—	Constellation
	"Comeback"	—
2017	"I Wanna (One Dance) With Somebody"	—	—

As featured artist

Year	Title	Album
2012	"Redlight" (featuring Amiena)[34]	Amiena EP
2020	"Reflection" (Christina Aguilera's song) (uncredited; choir only)[35]	Mulan (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Other charted songs

Year	Song	Peak chart positions				Sales	Album
		US [36]	US Dig. [37]	US Heat. [38]	CAN [39]
2012	"You Raise Me Up"	—[A]	46	19	—	US: 39,000[41]	non-album songs
	"The Prayer" (featuring Christina Aguilera)	85	34	—	75	US: 52,000[41]

Note

1. "You Raise Me Up" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number two on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.^[40]

See also

• Music portal

• List of singer-songwriters
• List of people from Los Angeles
• List of people from Wichita, Kansas
• List of Vanderbilt University people

References

1. Neil, Denise (May 8, 2012). "Wichita Native Chris Mann Places Fourth on 'The Voice'" Archived October 19, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
2. Neil, Denise (May 4, 2012). "Chris Mann, on Verge of Super Stardom, Thankful for Wichita Fans" Archived October 19, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
3. Whittlesey, Kristin (February 7, 2012). "Alumnus Competing on NBC's 'The Voice'. Vanderbilt University. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
4. ^{[dead link‍]} "Chris Mann – The Voice (Season 2) Profile Archived May 9, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. NBC.
5. ^{[dead link‍]} "Warbler #6 Archived May 10, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. chrismannmusic.com.
6. ^{[dead link‍]} "AFI Lifetime Achievement Awards" Archived October 13, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. chrismannmusic.com.
7. ^{[dead link‍]} Archived May 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. chrismannmusic.com.
8. Loo, Jonathan (January 24, 2012). "Tuesday Tunes: Chris Mann 'L.O.V.E."Archived February 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Kenton Magazine. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
9. Staff (May 8, 2012). "Jermaine Paul Wins 'The Voice' Season 2 And Justin Bieber Performs 'Boyfriend'. The Huffington Post. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
10. Burzynski, Andrea (May 8, 2012). "'The Voice' Set to Crown a Winner". Reuters. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
11. Etkin, Jaimie; Furlong, Maggie (May 8, 2012). "'The Voice' Season 2: 12 Most Memorable, Shocking, Envelope-Pushing Moments". The Huffington Post. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
12. Mitchell, John (May 7, 2012). "Who Is 'The Voice'? Tony, Juliet, Jermaine and Chris Duke It Out – Final Four Also Perform with Their Judges Before the Winner Is Chosen Tuesday Night". MTV News. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
13. Andres, Craig (March 5, 2012)."Wichitan Chris Mann Has Big Win on National TV". KSNW. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
14. Gallo, Phil (July 27, 2012). "Exclusive: 'Voice' Finalist Chris Mann Records Christmas Album". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
15. Ford, Rebecca (July 27, 2012). "Former 'Voice' Contestant Chris Mann Releasing Christmas Album". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
16. "Detroit Public Television". Archived from the original on 2013-02-21.
17. Music, Chris Mann. "@LACUfan my @pbs will air nationwide in march..."
18. Music, Chris Mann. "My @PBS Christmas special premieres Saturday on @detroitpublictv! Get the deets over on @findery!".
19. "Cast – The Phantom of the Opera – On Tour". Archived from the original on 2015-05-29. Retrieved 2015-05-29.
20. "Tickets – The Phantom of the Opera – On Tour". Archived from the original on 2015-05-29. Retrieved 2015-05-29.
21. Ramos, Dino-Ray (November 1, 2017). "'The Voice: Neon Dreams' Set To Open In Las Vegas With Former Contestants". Deadline. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
22. Katsilometes, John (October 18, 2018). "'The Voice — Neon Dreams' falls silent in Las Vegas". Review Journal. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
23. "'Dad's parody of 'Old Town Road' sums up life without child care".
24. "The Voice Finalist Chris Mann Marries Laura Perloe". Archived from the original on July 8, 2013.
25. "Instagram post by Chris Mann Music • May 16, 2017 at 11:06pm UTC". Archived from the original on 2021-12-24 – via Instagram.
26. "Instagram post by Chris Mann Music • Sep 9, 2017 at 10:00pm UTC". Archived from the original on 2021-12-24 – via Instagram.
27. "Instagram post by Chris Mann Music". Archived from the original on 2021-12-24.
28. "Chris Mann Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
29. "Chris Mann Chart History: Classical Albums". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
30. "Chris Mann Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
31. "Home for Christmas (EP) - Walmart.com". Walmart.com.
32. "Chris Mann Chart History: Adult Contemporary". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
33. O Come All Ye Faithful – Single on iTunes Archived December 31, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
34. "Amiena – EP by Amiena on Apple Music". itunes.apple.com. 4 May 2012.
35. "I loved backing up my girl @xtina with this gorgeous @disney choir of singers on her remake of 'Reflection'". Twitter. September 3, 2020. Archived from the original on September 4, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
36. "Chris Mann Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
37. "Chris Mann Chart History: Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
38. "Chris Mann Chart History: Heatseekers Songs". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
39. "Chris Mann Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
40. "Chris Mann Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
41. "Hot Digital Songs (26/05/2012)". Billboard.

External links

Media related to Chris Mann at Wikimedia Commons

• Official website
• Chris Mann at IMDb