Calgary's Chris Gheran showing up to the Steak Pit open mic, hosted by Rick Godderis on Thursdays from 7-11 p.m. for a showcase spot on Jan. 19. Photo by Tasha Barrie.

A Beatle-head by nature, soap maker by day and former busker by eve, Calgary’s Chris Gheran is an Alberta-bred folkster who’s keeping warm this winter in his basement studio, Pepper-land, recording his fourth album, The Kiss, which will be released in the fall of 2012.

“Paul (McCartney) is probably my favourite Beatle, but I tend to identify with John (Lennon) more,” said Gheran.

Dedicated and persistent, Gheran’s 2012 goal is to find his place on the western folk festival circuit and he will be making his way to Bragg Creek on Jan. 19 for a showcase spot at Rick Godderis’ Steak Pit open jam, which runs on Thursdays from 7-11 p.m.

Gheran will be the solo artist taking to the stage with his Gibson John Lennon series acoustic guitar and accompanying harmonica rack.

The ‘audition’ of sorts will determine whether or not folk fans in the area can expect to see Gheran join the ranks in the future line up with the Bragg Creek Performing Arts group.

“My passion has always been original music,” admitted Gheran. “The cover band-thing helped me realize that I wouldn’t be happy doing music unless I was playing my music.”

His music, which is heavily influenced by not only the Beatles, but by Bob Dylan and classic country artists, most recently culminated in a successful spring 2011 release, Calgary, which carried on where his second CD left off — melodic tales inspired by both his personal stories and his obsession with military history.

“I’m inspired by the wealth of emotion (from military history),” said the singer/songwriter.

“And by reflections on the past — regret’s a big one,” he laughed.

What will make Gheran’s fourth album stand apart is that it is 100 per cent him — from all the instrumentation to the backing tracks.

“I’m loving it, it’s turning out exactly how I want it to,” he said, admitting that there’s no set-in-stone recording process, just a natural progression.

“I’m kind of like that with music — I never wrangle or wrestle with it, I just let it evolve.”

The 31-year-old has been evolving on his personal singer/songwriter journey for the last several years, and has been met with positive reviews from all over Alberta and receptive crowds at staple roots venues in Calgary, including Mikey’s Juke Joint and the Ironwood Stage & Grill.

Gheran’s accolades include winning the 2010 Jack FM Busker Idol Contest and numerous performances at the 2010 Calgary Folk Music Festival; his list of wins in local songwriting competitions continues to grow, as well.

“My only two pieces of advice are to stay true to your vision — even if you go nowhere, at least you can say you did it your way,” said the songwriter.

“The second thing is, check your ego at the door . . . not everyone’s going to be as supportive as your friends and family.”

Learn more about Chris Gheran at chris-gheran.com.

Get in touch with Steak Pit open mic host Rick Godderis at rick@davincibb.net.

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