Craig Chaquico (cha-KEE-so) has engaged and inspired two generations of pop music fans, first as an original founding member, the ONLY LEAD GUITAR PLAYER, a principal songwriter for both the multi-platinum JEFFERSON STARSHIP/ STARSHIP bands during the '70s, '80s, and all they way till the band finally split up in 1990 and stopped recording.

While others came and went Craig is the ONLY one person ever in the band to ever have appeared on EVERY hit song, hit album, hit CD, national and world tour, MTV video, during all the most significant, historical, and successful times for both bands. After many various excellent substitutes on lead guitar ever since Craig left, if it was actually a real original Jefferson Starship and/or Starship recording, hit song, and/or you heard it on the radio, and/or you saw it on MTV, then it was ONLY Craig EVER playing all the lead guitar.

With 20 Gold records with Jefferson Starship and Starship, as an original founding member, lead guitarists, coproducer and songwriter, Craig was instrumental in making that one of the most successful bands in history.

In the 1990s, after finding himself already at the top of the national charts in each of 3 consecutive decades with his first national band already, Craig left the fast-paced pop world and reinvented himself as an award winning, #1, GRAMMY nominated, million selling solo artist, songwriter, producer, and band leader, with his own #1s in BILLBOARD for his CDs and songs, GuitarPlayer Magazine Readers' Poll Winner for Best Pop Instrumental Guitarist, and JazzIz Magazine list of Top 100 Most Influential Guitarists of All Time.

Then again Craig is at the very top of the national charts in a fourth decade and a new millennium starting in 2000 with his own songs like the #1 "CAFE CARNIVAL", #1 "LUMINOSA", and now in a fifth decade starting with his recording of " SONGBIRD" hitting the Top 3 in BILLBOARD and on all the National Smooth Jazz Radio charts in 2010.

Now with a brand new more electric blues inspired CD, FIRE RED MOON, half of which is inspired instrumentals and half with three incredible vocalists, debuting at #15 in BILLBOARD's sales charts and hitting the Top 5 on Roots Blues Radio Charts from the start, Craig and his band are enjoying playing songs from this new CD in concert along with many of Craig's other famous radio hits from the '70, '80s, '90s, '00s, and now the '10s, now featuring the amazing show stopping vocals of Rolf Hartley as Craig's main touring and recording lead singer.

But after all that as Craig still likes to say, "....even i say Craig who??? I love being rather anonymous and maybe 'the most famous guitarist that nobody has probably ever heard of' but everybody has probably heard (LOL) and that they probably couldn't even pronounce the name even if they had..." - Craig (cha-KEE-so)

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February 2013 issue

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"...Chaquico would serve as the only member to play on every Jeffesrson Starship/Starship album. After the original Starship stopped recording in the '80s Chaquico shifted his focus to a solo career..."

"...since 1993 he recorded 10 solo albums, selling more than a million copies and charting #1 singles and albums... Grammy Nomination... Best Pop Instrumenatal Guitarist in GuitarPlayer Magazine Reader's Poll... landed on JazzIz Magazine's list of 100 Most Influencial Jazz Guitarists of All Time..."

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HUFFINGTON POST 10/12/2012 -A CONVERSATION WITH CRAIG CHAQUICO

"...Mike Ragogna: Craig, your career spans like five decades, you've been part of Jefferson Starship and Starship, and you have Grammy-nominated, #1 solo projects..."

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"...It should come as no surprise to longtime Craig Chaquico fans that the talented guitarist..."

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... Imagine if Steely Dan or the Eagles decided to make a blues CD and you’ll have a good idea...
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"...What a pleasure to review this CD just released last month on Blind Pig Records..."

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"... For those of you who like the Blues, prepare to be thoroughly entertained as Craig takes you..."

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"...Craig is an artist who has continually evolved on each record. From 20 gold records during his days as a founding member of Jefferson Starship/Starship to Grammy nods as a No.1 selling solo artist..."

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"...Jefferson Starship (and later Starship) had a lot of chart success with ballads and mellow material, such as 'MIRACLES' and 'COUNT ON ME' in the 1970s and 'SARA' and 'NOTHING"S GONNA STOP US NOW' in the 1980s. The band did have its rocking moments, too — most notably 'JANE,'... Guitarist Craig Chaquico, a mainstay of the group through its lineup and name changes, recently checked in from his home in Oregon to share his memories of the song...."

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"...Lately I have been bringing in some of the songs I wrote in Jefferson Starship like 'Jane' and 'Find Your Way Back' and they went over really well with the 'jazz crowd'... A lot of us grew up with rock and roll..." -Craig

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"...Craig’s ability to let in space is admirable... Craig Chaquico takes the huge power of his notes and blends them together with the subtlety of his playing to create something bigger than the sum of its parts... showcases guitar notes that bubble around piano parts that bring a sophistication... allowing the guitar to soar and reach for the rafters..."

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"...Whether he was playing pop and rock with Jefferson Starship or Starship, or smooth jazz and New Age instrumental music as a solo artist, guitarist Craig Chaquico says he was always drawing from the blues..."

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"... Chaquico stakes his claim in yet another musical genre — and, even though he just arrived, already sounds right at home..."

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"...excellent fretwork that Chaquico is laying down... Chaquico is an exceptional musician..."

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"...this is a very well done and quite contemporary take on the Blues"

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"...Fire Red Moon begins brightly with Noah Hunt (always spot-on) vocals on Chaquico’s “Lie To Me.” The band is tight..."

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http://georgegraham.com/reviews/chaquico.html

"....The guitar playing is first rate..."

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"...Chaquico, once the fiery guitar sound of the Jefferson Starship, has spent the past few decades as a smooth jazz solo artist. This newest effort is a crossover from previous efforts to a more rock and blues format but still including some pretty hot riffs..."

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"...With every track showcasing Chaquico’s virtuoso skills on the fretboard,..."

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"...Elements of Blues and rock fuel this album...Fire Red Moon is an album that can be enjoyed for a long time..."

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"...always creative and impressive Chaquico is an under-rated talent in the blues world. Blues rock/r & b/ that at times gets very funky; not a bad song in the mix. Check it out..."

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"...Here he plays the bluesman with great success..."

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"...swell variety of vocal styles underscored by Craig Chaquico's excellent guitar playing, which in case you didn't get that, is excellent..."

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"..Chaquico wielding his six-string in a way that would make the late Stevie Ray Vaughn stand up in approval... a more edgy sound, while still retaining his trademark harmony. Craig Chaquico is a musician who not only has chops but great taste in music. He puts a lot of value in melody and phrasing that always pleases the ear..."

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"...After he left the Jefferson Starship, former Marin rocker Craig Chaquico reinvented himself as a million-selling smooth jazz/New Age guitarist, most famously on 1994's Grammy nominated 'Acoustic Plane'.... He picked up the acoustic guitar and put his electric guitar and stack of amps away in 1995 when his wife became pregnant and demanded peace and quiet around the baby. Well, the kid's a teenager now and Chaquico has plugged back in..."

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"...'I've always been enamored with the way blues flirts with the supernatural,' Chaquico says. 'I think music is very spiritual, somewhere between spiritual and scientific. It's invisible, but it can fill a room'...."

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WHAT THEY ARE SAYING AT RADIO...

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"...Craig is one of THE local success stories, along with Timothy B. Schmidt of the Eagles, Steve Perry of Journey and the guys in Tesla. In other words, I'm on it big time!..." – Mick Martin – MICK MARTIN'S BLUES PARTY-- KXJZ – Antelope, CA

"...Yes, I've listened and enjoyed. Craig's guitar playing is fantastic, and there's a instrumental (Track 8?) I'm especially found of. Can get it on Lobster show after next weeks Raiders preempt..." – Paul Wells, The River, The Lobster Sunday Brunch- San Francisco, CA

"...I love it! Craig kicks ass (as always) on this-getting Noah to sing on the one tune was a cool idea..." – Mark Mayfield –KSLX , Morning Show, Phoenix, AR

"...Listened to the album like I said I would. All I can say is that I was 'awestruck'. Normally. I do not put an entire album in our on-air library, but Fire Red Moon was well worth putting all in..." – Norm Browning – KKFI – Kansas Cit, MO

"...Just wanted to let you know that the Craig Chaquico CD 'Fire Red Moon' came in & it sounds grea ! Just what I want for my show brother!..." – Mike Lytle – KKFI-Kansas City, MO

"...Yes. I played it and talked it up. You can hear it on KPFA.org last Sat.'s show. Very good debut..." – Tom Mazzolini – KPFA – Blues By The Bay – San Francisco, CA

"...I think it is my new favorite cd. It is very good, a little different. He is so talented. We have been playing it..." – Bill & Pat Hudson -- The Blues Team -- Good Morning Blues II WRFG 89.3 FM Atlanta, Georgia

"...Received!!! That cat can still belt out the tunes!! Great album..." – Paul Rowlett – KMOD – SmokeHouse Blues Show, Tulsa, OK

"...I got “Fire Red Moon”. Great stuff, fantastic guitar. Favorites include Lie To Me, Rollin’ And Tumblin’ (fabulous), Fire Red Moon and my absolute favorite Fogtown Stroll. Thanks, – Billy Rose KROS –The Big Blues Broadcast –Clinton, IA

"...Got it, heard it, played it. It’s awesome!..." – Michael Right –KXRA –Nothin’ But The Blues, Alexandria, MN

"...love it! I've been a Craig Chaquico follower for years, I'm a big smooth jazz fan. I already have 'Born Under A Bad Sign' in the Blues Power rotation, and will be showcasing a at least 2 more tracks in the future..." – Michael Goza –WQNA – Blues Power - Springfield, IL

"...Great album Peter. Smokin Lie To Me last Sunday and again this week..." – Rick Ballew – WRFX – Smokin’ Blues -- Charlotte, NC

"...I did receive the CD. It's awesome by the way..." – Sheila Cain -- Blues City Radio – Longmont, CO

"...Receive and LOVE the CD. Have been a big fan for years..." – Anthony DeFazio, H. Hawaii Media/Kauai

"...Yes, love it. I'm hitting Lie To Me and Born Under A Bad Sign, right now. But, this is a CD that I'll be playing all the cuts eventually..." – Ken Lovejoy – WBCG – Blues Beach – Port Charlotte , FL

"...I have it and I love it! Thanks, Holly..." – Holly Harris –– WBOS BLUES On Sunday, Salem,MA

"...Craigs new disc is great. I will be featuring it soon and will chart it as well..." – Mike Urick Blues After Hours, WBSD ,Burlington Wi

"...Yes, just picked the CD up yesterday and listening to it now - love the sound - great production! Will be featuring it next week..." – Butch Kara -- KZGM FM - KALEIDOSCOPE– Cabool, MO

"...We really like this CD - Craig plays like a pro with a very crisp, clean sound and driving beat. Very good! Thx..." – Todd and Cynthia Hines –KVNF – Crawford, CO

"...Just had a great big helping of pork! Really enjoyed the Craig Chaquico! thanks again..." – Ted Todd – Blow Torch Blues – KKZX – Spokane, WA

"...Yes, Excellent!..." – Kevin Hendrickson KJKJ -Riverside Blues Show –Crookston, MN

11/2012
"...PLAYING TRACKS 3&8 AND REALLY HAPPY WITH THE NEW DIRECTION HE'S GOING IN..." – Carol Handley, Internet radio, Smooth in Seattle, Seattle, WA

"...Great stuff..." – Kevin Barnes – Bluesville - KBEM, Minneapolis, MN

"...Got the cd's...wow great stuff..that fits our style..tks..will be playing during our show and the cd's will also be loaded into the automation program that plays music during off programming hours..tks again..." – Patrick Henry – KYRS, Blues Now and Then, Spokane, WA

"...I added Craig's New CD Nov 3. I have enjoyed "Lie to Me"and find myself returning to it..." – Jim Santella, WBFO – The Blues, Buffalo, NY

"...YES! I've been playing it for weeks now and really like it! Love the instrumentals and the rocking ' Little Red Shoes' or whatever ( just off the top of my head!) GREAT CD!..." – Cheryl Mogul – WMNF - Saturday Soulful Soiree – Gulfport , FL

"...Sounds good, I've played the title track and Born Under A Bad Sign over the past couple of weeks..." – Dave Isaac – WKIT – Blue Monday, Bangor, ME

"...Great CD like the first song for airplay especially..." – Scott Fraley - OUT O' THE BLUE RADIO REVUE – WCVE – Richmond, VA

"... Craig's album. It has not received as much airplay as it rightfully deserves and I will be working on making sure his spins are increased because it is a very professional album in every respect..." – Sam Reese – Fresh Cuts - WXCS 92.9FM Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania Independen Noncommercial-Local Radio

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