Ross Childress
| Ross Childress | |
|---|---|
| Born |
September 8, 1971 , USA |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals |
| Associated acts |
Collective Soul Hurst Starfish and Coffee |
Ross Childress (born September 8, 1971) is an American musician. He was the original lead guitarist and co-songwriter for the rock band Collective Soul.
Childress was born on September 8, 1971 in Stockbridge, Georgia, USA.
Childress grew up with and had played with the original band members of Collective Soul before the group signed to Atlantic Records in early 1994. Over a period of eight years with the band, he recorded on, and toured in support of, five studio albums that have sold over seven million copies and generated seven #1 singles on the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock charts. He left the band in September 2001 after the release of the greatest hits compilation 7even Year Itch. Much debate still exists regarding the reason for his departure. The band had released a brief statement on its website urging fans to understand that the situation was very personal.
During his time with Collective Soul, Childress was known for his metallic guitar sounds and heavy riffs incorporating elements of metal and blues in his playing. Along with songwriter Ed Roland, he penned many of the band's popular "hooks." Childress wrote, sang lead vocals, and performed guitar on the song "Dandy Life" on the 1999 release Dosage. This was the first time that a member other than Ed Roland had sung lead on a studio recording.
Childress left the band in 2001, with Joel Kosche taking his place. Collective Soul performed their first concert without Childress in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on September 5, less than two weeks before the release of the greatest hits compilation 7even Year Itch.
In 2004/2005 Ross returned to recording music as a studio musician for the Trevor Hurst project entitled "Hurst". He contributed in many ways, including co-writing & producing. The band recruited a few other musicians to join. The album has done moderately well in Canada since its release in June 2005. Touring with Trevor as "Early Moses," named after the Basquiat painting of the same name, Ross played a few shows, but decided not to play live and remain in the background.
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