Cristy releases ‘Hotel Confessions’ at Buskirk

Local musician Jenn Cristy brought people of all ages together for a night of exceptional sounds and nostalgic memories.

Cristy released her new CD, “Hotel Confessions,” on Friday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.

The show highlighted her first release since being signed last year to a new distribution deal, Gracie Productions, an affiliate of major-label corporation, EMI, that marked a change in her sound last November.

“I am absolutely tickled to be here,” said singer Chad Mills, who performed with his band as an opening act. “I learned from a very young age to love the cream and crimson.”

The concert began with Mills and his band. He played for about an hour, singing about a wide array of issues from homelessness to growing up. His songs centered on ideas of nostalgia, Hoosier values and returning home to Indiana.

Cristy provided piano for the final song in his set before addressing the audience with her own history as a local artist.

“This has been three years in the making,” Cristy said.

She said that making the album was like preparing for a wedding.

Cristy began with the song “Tiny Windows,” which incorporated soul and pop while allowing her to utilize her classical piano skills. Her set included a mix of songs from all three of her albums.

Each song incorporated her three core elements: voice, piano and backing band.

She had a band composed of 10 people behind her that helped add to the dimension of her sound. Between songs, Cristy would lead improvisational sessions where the band members played off each others’ beats.

Prior to playing her song “Mr. Beautiful Brown Eyes,” she announced that her new CD’s name was an allusion to the song’s lyrics.

“It sounds dirty, and I like it,” she said about the title.

She then invited the audience to dance to the music in front of the stage. Later in the show, a young boy named Dylan came onto the stage at Cristy’s suggestion and danced for the crowd, who chanted for him.

She filled the theater with lyrics that seemed to resonate with the audience as they swayed to the beat of “1,000 Broken Hearts” from her new CD.

“The idea behind the song is that I would deal with 1,000 broken hearts for love,” she said to the crowd.

Cristy received a standing ovation at the end of her performance. After a few minutes of clapping, Christy came out for an encore performance.

“I always wanted to play at Carnegie Hall, so I guess I will close this chapter in my life and play some classical music for you all,” she said.

After playing on the piano, she decided to finish her encore by rocking out with the band.

Audience member Mandee Combs traveled from Terre Haute, Ind., to see Cristy’s release show. Combs said she has been a fan of Cristy’s from the beginning and is also friends with Dave Dwinell, who is the drummer in the band.

“They rocked,” Combs said. “Their music just flows. They sounded incredible.”