18-Year Old Musician From Frankfort To Release First Album

FRANKFORT, IL -- Chase Walsh, an 18-year-old from Frankfort and recent Lincoln-Way East High School alum, will release his first full length album on Friday, one day after he opens for Maggie Speaks at the CD & ME music venue in Frankfort.

Walsh, who in the fall will head to Western Michigan University to study music engineering, is a solo artist who has played the guitar since he was 7 years old and wrote and recorded his first extended play "Your Friend the Robber" when he was 14.

"I know my passion is music and I am a solo artist," said Walsh, who said he's been writing music since age 8 and started with vocals about three years after that.

"I play all string instruments including violin in high school strings orchestra, mostly to learn about music and because our program and instructors are very strong," he added. "I have taught myself piano and drums as well."

His first full length album, "Ghosts and Gossip," is what will be released Friday. Walsh says it features "some great studio musicians."

"It has been an incredible experience," he said. "With school and my job, it took 2 years, but we completed the scratch tracks, final bass, drums, rhythm and lead guitar and add some acoustic tracks. Then, I laid down all the the vocals including all of my own harmonies."

The album is produced by Skye Bleu Studios. It is already available for pre-order on iTunes.

Walsh has studied guitar under Kevin Wright, who is well-known locally, for the past eight years.

Photo provided