The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 68, No. 19, Ed. 1, Friday, February 13, 1981 Page: 18 of 23
twenty three pages : illus. ; page 15 x 11 in. Digitized from 35 mm. microfilm.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
B-3
Alumnus succeeds as songwriter singer
By LINOE THOMPSON
Assistant Features Editor
There are many reasons why Chris
Waters Dunn is similar to many other ACU
alumni.
He is a 1973 graduate with a B.A. in
English literature His brother and sister
also attended ACl! and he has a relative on
the faculty his uncle is Dr Floyd Dunn
dean of the graduate school
But Chris has some characteristics that
set him apart somewhat from the average
alumni the main one being that he writes
songs professionally under the name Chris
Waters and is pretty successful at that
Chris's biggest success has been the song
he wrote that was recorded by Dr Hook
called 'Sexy Eyes " That song probably the
most familiar to Top 40 radio listeners has
sold well enough to earn the gold rating for a
released single and become a platinum
album
How did the kid that graduated in English
Eyes "was a success for Chris being
nominated for one of the top 10 inspirational
songs of the year.
Chris also has written a song soon to be
released by Pat Boone called "Paradise"
and two songs for Terry Bradshaw. the pro-
football player turned gospel singer
Currently. Chris is signed with CBS
publishing in Nashville as a staff writer of
song material CBS evidently likes the work
Chris has done well enough to hire another
member of the Dunn family Holly. Chris'
younger sister and an ex -ACU Sing Song
hostess has just begun working with Chris
"We're looking forward to working
together in the future She just started. "ex-
plains Chris then adds proudly. "She's a
very good vocalist."
And being a vocalist also has become an
important part of Chris's life as well.
"Writers have to make demonstration
tapes of their songs to present to artists and
producers in hopes of having them recorded
Through the back door from doing that.
I've now had opportunities to record my own
songs I haven't limited myself to doing just
my own material. I also record other good
songs that I find So it's kind of interesting
how life comes full circle I had started out
performing then became a writer and that
led me back to performing "
(Chris's performing career is what brought
him to Abilene He's on a multi-state tour to
promote the release of his latest single "It's
Like Falling in Ixve" at radio stations
around the country Chris's first release that
he performed "My Ividy lxves Me" en-
couraged him enough to try again as. says
Chris "it was charted and reviewed by all
the trades "
Chris admits the traveling can be hard but
he plans to keep writing songs
Chris smiles and says. "I get up even
morning and say 'how lucky I am1' to get to
earn my living entertaining and trying
to make people happy "
Ctfihtify
f MOTOR HOTEL.
Under New OwnenNp aid Hmmjmm
Photo bv Rodny Ooodrr
Writing Gold
ACU alumnus Chris Waters Dunn visited local radio stations promoting his single
record release "It's Like Falling in Love." Chris who graduated from ACU in
1 973 also wrote the song "Sexy Eyes." Dr Hook's successful single
1
U.S. HWV 80-84
lit from ACU end up writing a top charted
song''
According to Chris he's always been
interested in music "Ever since I was a
little boy I've strummed a guitarand played
in various groups." said Chris "Almost
everyone who gets into music is involved
casually at first and slowly you become
more and more serious about it and really
begin to study it and constantly try to im-
prove." Chris's own improvement however
gradual has been deliberate While at ACU
he was a member of several music and rock
groups including "Friends." which Chns
described as a "Top 40 rock 'n' roll " Other
members of the group included two ACl'
communication faculty members. Jeff Wan
and Gary Thornton
"I played rhythm electric Jeff played
bass and Gary played the drums That was
in the days when the more equipment you
had. the better you were." laughs Chris
Chris's other college band involvement
was with another ACU ex named Chris who
is also a successful professional musician
now Chris. Chris and Lee combined the
talents of Chris Waters. Lee Paul and a
noted contemporary gospel singer Chns
Smith who is now recording under the name
of ChnsChnstian.
Chns Waters too. has dabbled m the field
of gospel song writing His song. "The
Highest Praise" an song performed by
inspirational recording artist Doug
Oldham That song too. like "Sexy
oc
4-Q(J5
James
Avery
jewelry
candles
stationary
puzzles
New Shipment
Valentine
Cards
by
w
-(XuiaL
Randy's shop
A short walk from ACU n " p m
3 0 -90 -3 O o
( Flowers I
my Valentine A
J V at
Ditsy's Flowei
across from ACU 672-1485
tXXKXHXXXXVKX
STARLITE INN
Try our Sunday Buffet
11 a.m. -1:30 p.m.
Bring your date and come enjoy
a special evening with us at the
Iron Horse Room.
We have reasonable
rates to serve you.
3425 S. 1st Abilene. 915 677-5285
k
-
Valentine
Bean
Bags
mi natures
posters
and
plaques
I
ft
rings
(J
Y
V
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 68, No. 19, Ed. 1, Friday, February 13, 1981, newspaper, February 13, 1981; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth99575/m1/18/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Christian University Library.