Chris Craig, better known on stage as The Bluenoser, is a Canadian singer, guitarist, songwriter, entertainer and storyteller whose music has been connecting with audiences for decades.

Born and raised in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Chris grew up surrounded by the traditions of East Coast music. Those early influences helped shape a style that blends classic country, folk, Maritime favourites, old-time rock and roll and storytelling into performances designed to get people singing, laughing and remembering.

Music has always been more than entertainment for Chris. Over the years, he has performed at festivals, community events, private functions, seniors' residences and retirement communities. Whether performing familiar sing-alongs, timeless country classics or his own original songs, Chris believes the best performances aren't necessarily about putting on a show — they're about connecting with the people in the room.

Away from the stage, Chris has followed an equally creative path as a wildlife photographer, videographer, author, speaker, entrepreneur and educator. His experiences travelling across Canada, meeting people from all walks of life and telling their stories have influenced both his music and his creative work.

Music, Books and Giving Back

Over the past year, another part of that journey has begun to take shape.

Chris is also the creator of Sketch Rabbit, a Canadian series of children's books built around reading, colouring, learning, imagination and creativity. Rather than keeping his music and books as two separate projects, Chris began bringing them together.

Money earned through performances has helped Chris purchase Sketch Rabbit books that he then donates to children and community organizations. Books have been provided to organizations including Ronald McDonald House, the Stollery Children's Hospital, charities and other community programs, while Chris continues performing for seniors and communities across Canada.

What began as something Chris could do personally has now developed into a larger goal: working with businesses, corporate sponsors, charities and community organizations to put even more books into the hands of children.

Chris continues performing as The Bluenoser, creating new music and entertaining audiences throughout Alberta and beyond. At the same time, he continues writing and publishing through Sketch Rabbit and looking for new ways his performances can help support the communities in which he plays.

For Chris, the two projects now share a common purpose:

Play the music. Tell the stories. Make people smile. And whenever possible, use it to do a little good along the way.

I particularly like that last line for you. It doesn't make you sound like you're trying to portray yourself as some huge charitable organization. It says this is what I've been doing, this is where it's going, and I'd like others to join me.