KRIS WOTT BIO
Before moving to Ocean Beach in 2010, Kris self-taught himself guitar and song writing. He wrote his first song when he was 14 years old. During this time of adolescence, he learned about vocal harmonizing from Ryan Bair and his brother Frank Wott. His live performance career began in his home State of Ohio at a ‘Cheeseburger in Paradise’ in Canton, Ohio in the summer of 2008. That performance gave Kris the purpose to buy his ‘Takamine - G Series - Acoustic Electric Guitar’ that he named Veronica Vaughan. After moving to San Diego in 2010, Kris met and became friends with fellow aspiring musicians like Michael Head. Michael Head, a living San Diego Music Legend, became Kris’ mentor and close friend. In 2012, Kris’ brother Andrew Wott moved to Ocean Beach, CA. and they formed Kris’ first band ‘Joint Custody’ with Brandon Fetter and Erik Rauum.
Joint Custody performed at venues like Winston’s OB, Gallagher’s Pub, The Griffin, and the Ocean Beach Farmers Market. Realizing he needed practice time to hone in on simultaneously playing guitar and harmonica, Joint Custody dissembled in late 2013. Kris took the next year to practice his craft and graduate from San Diego City College with a Communications Degree. In 2013, Michael Head and Mark Eppler asked him to be the front man of their blues band, ‘The Moneymen’, for a weekly Open Blues Jam at ‘Second Wind’ in Santee, CA. Humbled with the opportunity, Kris dared not to decline. The open blues jam went on for about a year and a half until The Moneymen began to start performing at different locations and became to take in more musicians.
The Moneymen transformed into a blues and rock band with Michael Head on Guitar, Steve Tahmahkera on Drums, Cody Christian on Bass, and Kris Wott on Rhythm Guitar, Harmonica (harness) and vocals. It wasn’t until 2015, when Kris had a bicycle accident injuring his left pointer finger, when he was forced to begin playing the harmonica as a primary instrument on stage. He quickly purchased a Green Bullet Harmonica Microphone and sought council and instruction from his harmonica mentor Bubba McCoy.
In 2017, Kris joined the ‘Country Rockin’ Rebels’ (CCR) as their Harp Player and back up vocalist. Shortly after, he joined the Brown Part Liquor String Band (BPL) as their Harp player and Vocalist. The Moneymen, CCR, and BPL perform at venues like Winston’s OB, SD House of Blues, Hennessey’s Pub La Jolla, Lucy Tavern, The Harp Pub, OB Street Fair Main Stage, Sidecar Bar, Soda Bar, Kensington Club, etc. Steve Tahmahkera retired from the drums and Nathan Walsh Haines from Brother Gow joined the Moneymen just before Covid-19 hit. Kris has continued to write music throughout the pandemic and feels his songs have only gotten better and stronger as his skills have formed.
Kris Wott’s solo album ‘Time Will Tell’ is to be released in July of 2021. The album consists of 9 songs that have been written over a 12-year period. He is eager to share his work and already has a great deal of material ready to go for future albums. Kris specializes in simultaneously playing guitar and harmonica and has a catalogue of over 300 songs. His inspiration comes from Ben Harper, Neil Young, Jonny Lang, and Eric Clapton. Contact Kris Wott directly at Kaywott@gmail.com.
