SUPPORT CHRIS KROEZE ON THE VOICE!
Donation protected
Friends, Family, and Fans of Chris Kroeze,
So many of you have asked how you can help support Chris as he continues on this journey. As I’ve thought about your question, the idea of an online fundraiser for Chris kept coming to mind. My main hold up for NOT doing this is that I know this is something Chris would NEVER do on his own. He's not one to ask for things... he's always on the giving side. Donating time, his talents, and his resources anytime he's able to do so.
For those of you who don't know me, I've worked with Chris since he was about 12 years old. From helping him name his first band before a talent show, to going to Nashville to cut his first single, to sitting next to him on his first flight (that he took ONLY because he felt strongly that his supporting our military was much bigger than his fear of flying), to his military tours, to this time on The Voice, I've seen firsthand the talent and heart of this incredible young man.
One thing really sticks out to me is how little Chris focuses on himself, and how his focus remains outward on others, his family, his friends, and those he can help. We could all learn something from that.
Even when we first sat down and I brought up the opportunity to be on The Voice -- what could potentially be the biggest opportunity he's had in his career -- his FIRST question wasn't about how this might benefit him, but, "What about the shows (60+ shows) I'll need to cancel and all those people that have booked me, promoted, made plans, etc. they are all counting on me?"
Even after I ensured him that people would understand... and after all the calls were made, Chris continued to work with the incredible people at The Voice to help adjust his schedule and make sure he could at least play the weddings he had booked. He couldn't imagine leaving someone without music on one their biggest days of their lives. He then paid his own flight back from California, which most likely offset anything he would have made from those shows, to honor those commitments.
I don't know about you but my gut is that most people about to embark on a journey like this, might not handle things with such class and character. Chris is the real deal, both as a musician and as a person. He's already a success in my book. Though hard work and talent in such a challenging industry doesn't guarantee anything, I believe Chris has as good of a shot as anyone at continuing on for many years to come.
SO... WHY!? Why support Chris? Why make a donation?
1. SUPPORT THE KROEZE FAMILY: One thing you don't hear about is the commitment it takes for someone to take an opportunity like this. The lead up time, just to audition, is significant and requires a lot of time. For Chris it meant cancelling about 60 shows in the heart of his busy season, the time of year where all the planning and work put in the rest of the year, finally pays off. It’s the time of year that he reaps all the sowing he did to provide for his family. All of that commitment and risk is taken on without even knowing if you'll see a chair turn (though we're happy to see they did)!
2. LETS SHOW THE COUNTRY WHAT SMALL TOWNS CAN DO: Even throughout his interviews, Chris didn't talk at all about himself. What did he talk about? His love of supporting our military overseas and his incredible community. We just had our area featured on one of the top rated shows, on one of the top TV networks, during prime time viewing hours all across the country. Chris always raves about how his career is due to the incredible support from his community and the people around him. Lets show them what we can do! What a small group of people can achieve when we stick together and get behind something. Let's help him do this bigger than he ever could have imagined on his own!
3. FOCUS: My big hope for Chris and his family throughout this experience is that they can fully enjoy it. I hope that their thoughts aren't on the shows he's not able to play, and financial stresses that I would assume come with that. My HOPE is that they can soak every minute of this experience in. My HOPE is that Chris can FULLY FOCUS and spend every minute on making the most of this experience, however long it lasts.
4. FUN: This sure is fun isn't it? I wanna see this continue as long as possible. Whether it's done next week, next month, or he makes it to the finale (like Blake Shelton said)... I'm proud of Chris and want to look back and know we all did everything we could to help support him and this journey he's on!
My HOPE is that YOU will consider making a donation, no matter how big or small. IMAGINE WHAT WE COULD DO IF EVERYONE THAT SAW THIS GAVE $5. My HOPE is that YOU would also help spread the word to anyone you think might also support him. We couldn't have a better advocate representing our community, Wisconsin, or small towns! Join me in supporting Chris, his family, and let's see how far he can go with all of us behind him!
-Zach S.
So many of you have asked how you can help support Chris as he continues on this journey. As I’ve thought about your question, the idea of an online fundraiser for Chris kept coming to mind. My main hold up for NOT doing this is that I know this is something Chris would NEVER do on his own. He's not one to ask for things... he's always on the giving side. Donating time, his talents, and his resources anytime he's able to do so.
For those of you who don't know me, I've worked with Chris since he was about 12 years old. From helping him name his first band before a talent show, to going to Nashville to cut his first single, to sitting next to him on his first flight (that he took ONLY because he felt strongly that his supporting our military was much bigger than his fear of flying), to his military tours, to this time on The Voice, I've seen firsthand the talent and heart of this incredible young man.
One thing really sticks out to me is how little Chris focuses on himself, and how his focus remains outward on others, his family, his friends, and those he can help. We could all learn something from that.
Even when we first sat down and I brought up the opportunity to be on The Voice -- what could potentially be the biggest opportunity he's had in his career -- his FIRST question wasn't about how this might benefit him, but, "What about the shows (60+ shows) I'll need to cancel and all those people that have booked me, promoted, made plans, etc. they are all counting on me?"
Even after I ensured him that people would understand... and after all the calls were made, Chris continued to work with the incredible people at The Voice to help adjust his schedule and make sure he could at least play the weddings he had booked. He couldn't imagine leaving someone without music on one their biggest days of their lives. He then paid his own flight back from California, which most likely offset anything he would have made from those shows, to honor those commitments.
I don't know about you but my gut is that most people about to embark on a journey like this, might not handle things with such class and character. Chris is the real deal, both as a musician and as a person. He's already a success in my book. Though hard work and talent in such a challenging industry doesn't guarantee anything, I believe Chris has as good of a shot as anyone at continuing on for many years to come.
SO... WHY!? Why support Chris? Why make a donation?
1. SUPPORT THE KROEZE FAMILY: One thing you don't hear about is the commitment it takes for someone to take an opportunity like this. The lead up time, just to audition, is significant and requires a lot of time. For Chris it meant cancelling about 60 shows in the heart of his busy season, the time of year where all the planning and work put in the rest of the year, finally pays off. It’s the time of year that he reaps all the sowing he did to provide for his family. All of that commitment and risk is taken on without even knowing if you'll see a chair turn (though we're happy to see they did)!
2. LETS SHOW THE COUNTRY WHAT SMALL TOWNS CAN DO: Even throughout his interviews, Chris didn't talk at all about himself. What did he talk about? His love of supporting our military overseas and his incredible community. We just had our area featured on one of the top rated shows, on one of the top TV networks, during prime time viewing hours all across the country. Chris always raves about how his career is due to the incredible support from his community and the people around him. Lets show them what we can do! What a small group of people can achieve when we stick together and get behind something. Let's help him do this bigger than he ever could have imagined on his own!
3. FOCUS: My big hope for Chris and his family throughout this experience is that they can fully enjoy it. I hope that their thoughts aren't on the shows he's not able to play, and financial stresses that I would assume come with that. My HOPE is that they can soak every minute of this experience in. My HOPE is that Chris can FULLY FOCUS and spend every minute on making the most of this experience, however long it lasts.
4. FUN: This sure is fun isn't it? I wanna see this continue as long as possible. Whether it's done next week, next month, or he makes it to the finale (like Blake Shelton said)... I'm proud of Chris and want to look back and know we all did everything we could to help support him and this journey he's on!
My HOPE is that YOU will consider making a donation, no matter how big or small. IMAGINE WHAT WE COULD DO IF EVERYONE THAT SAW THIS GAVE $5. My HOPE is that YOU would also help spread the word to anyone you think might also support him. We couldn't have a better advocate representing our community, Wisconsin, or small towns! Join me in supporting Chris, his family, and let's see how far he can go with all of us behind him!
-Zach S.
Organiser
Zach Schauf
Organiser
Barron, WI