Late in ’93 the Chillen’s went through a change. Bill, Ken, and Dwayne were working long hours
at the day gig, too much to get out and play. Disappointed but now hooked on fronting a band Chris found Paul Marvin from
the Paul Marvin Blues Band on bass, and the great Timothy Mysek, Jr. on drums. Chris found the power trio to his liking. Paul’s
strong bass style and Tim’s in your face percussion style brought Chris to greater heights. With a rhythm section this
good backing him he could play nothing wrong. In ’94 Chris & Paul & Tim started
a jam session at the Madison Club in Madison Heights MI. The gig lasted through to the summer of 1999 a full 4 years,
longer than any day job Chris ever had. All of Detroit’s talent came to jam with the trio as well as many national artists.
The Chillens name was getting around. Playing throughout Michigan and the Midwest this lineup stuck together till 1999.
1999 marks the year that Chris completes his first
solo recording. Again with a few changes. Paul Marvin was getting too busy with his own band to play enough for Chris’
liking and Tim was always on a national tour with some rock band. Chris formed
the third Chillens band with Albert Rudeman on bass, and his Brother Karl Rudeman on drums.
I Don't Know CD cover shot |
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Finishing the recording in late 1999 the band turned national soon after. When Chris’ received his
first booking at the Mount Prospect Roadhouse in the Chi-town area, it really helped the band get over the edge! Booking shows
in the Midwest, West, and Northeast there seemed to be no stopping the Chillens now. Chris’ demanding schedule required
musicians to be available nonstop so he added more to keep up with demand. On bass he added Eddie
Washington, Tim Tucker and, Andy Lloyd, on drums; Tim Mysek, Billy Reyna and Matt Kelly, on Harp; Mike “Red Dog”
Fletcher, and a new addition later on – vocalist extraordinaire – Nina Silki! Chris used whoever was available
and stayed busy as ever.
Nina’s style rounded the Chillen’s sound.
Some die-hard Chillen’s fans didn’t think this was so good, but overall the Chillen’s fan base expanded.
Chris & Nina wrote many songs together but never had a chance to record them.
Nina is now happily married and busier than ever with family life. Maybe in the near future they will get to record them,
one can only hope!
So these are all of Chris’ Chillens, and forever they always will be to him. Many memories and good
times have been shared between these musicians and they will always be remembered.
Chris hopes one day to gather all of his Chillens on one huge stage for a Mega Chile recording and reunion. Again one can
only hope. But here’s to the future and all the Chillen’s of the world.

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Click pic to go to No Cover |
Now in 2005 the Chillen’s are still going strong. Chris’ first recording I
Don’t Know has more than 10,000 copies in cassette tape format in circulation. And now it has been signed to the
No Cover record label and re released in Cd format in September of 2005! Chris is planning time to release another Boogie Chillens Cd around July of 2006 with a new line up of great Detroit area musicians. On
the drums veteran blues and jazz player Gary E, and on bass, Wolfcastle. Another great group of musicians to carry on the
blues tradition!
Peace to you
From Christopher Leigh & The Boogie Chillens
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