When the Showman Hits Reset
Some people pivot. Chris Thomas reboots. After years running dance studios, fronting bands, and performing across the Southeast, Chris found himself gut-punched by life—personally and professionally. A split from a business partner. A divorce. Even losing his voice. But instead of folding, he stepped forward—reclaiming his name, his music, and his mission with the Chris Thomas Project.
In this powerful episode of *The Contrast Project Lounge Podcast*, hosts Tracy Rigdon and Jim Alabiso sit down with Chris. They unpack the layers of a man. He is not just rebuilding a brand—he’s rebuilding himself.
Note that this episode originally aired in June 2024
From Studio Floors to Center Stage
Chris Thomas didn’t just “get into dance.” He helped shape the ballroom and Latin dance scene in Jacksonville. He started at AMI Dance International and then moved to Melody Ballroom. Eventually, he founded A Social Affair Dance Studios. He’s spent decades teaching movement, confidence, and style to thousands.
But Chris isn’t a man who stays in one lane. While others pick a profession, he built an ecosystem—dance instructor, studio founder, business consultant, emcee, vocalist. His latest studio, Monarch Ballroom & Dance Studio, continues that tradition—but his eyes are on the stage.
The Chris Thomas Project – More Than a Band Name
Let’s get one thing clear: the “Project” in The Chris Thomas Project isn’t a gimmick, it’s survival branding.
After a brutal fallout with a business partner, Chris had to rebuild from scratch. “I’m not fond of my partner because of the classless way they chose to end the relationship,” he told Tracy. “But I can’t control anyone but me. So take the high road, look forward, and move on.”
And move on he did. The Chris Thomas Project became a catch-all container for everything he does: vocals, consulting, performance, teaching, mentoring, and now; podcasting.
Singing Through the Pain
Chris is known for his swagger, his stage presence, and that Sinatra-soaked baritone. Most fans don’t know that he lost his voice completely. It happened during one of the lowest points in his life. Divorce. Depression. Silence.
What brought him back? Music. Gratitude. Community. And love. “Out of that divorce came the amazing person I met and am now married to,” Chris shared. “It’s easier to be a victim than a victor, but I chose to fight.”
He returned not just with vocals intact but with a deeper emotional register. You can hear it in every note.
Big Band Energy, 21st Century Soul
Chris’s musical taste is anchored in ‘70s soul, classic American songbook standards, and contemporary flavor. Think Frank Sinatra with a little Bruno Mars heat.
Now he’s taking that mix to a whole new level with a new big band project launching this year. The goal? Bring back that live-band magic that once defined American entertainment. Update it with modern elements. Use tight arrangements, soulful hooks, and stage presence that makes an impact.
He’s eyeing the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, touring dates, and a possible record. This isn’t a nostalgia act. It’s a rebirth.
Men, Music, and Mental Health
Chris doesn’t sugarcoat it: vulnerability is a muscle most men aren’t taught to flex. But he wants that to change. “I just want to see more guys doing this,” he said. He was referring to speaking openly about pain, love, failure, and growth.
From his own divorce and voice loss to the grind of rebuilding a reputation, he’s walking proof. Softness isn’t weakness, it’s fuel. And he’s bringing that message to the mic in more ways than one.
The Upcoming Podcast: Stories That Redefine Us
Yes, Chris is launching a podcast. It’s still in concept, but the heart is there. It will feature real conversations with people who’ve redefined their lives. They have rebuilt after failure or found purpose in the unexpected.
It’s not a vanity project. It’s a continuation of the same spirit that drives his band and his business, people first, always. Chris Thomas is dedicated to holding space for the stories that matter. He does this whether he’s on stage, in a studio, or behind a mic.
From TikTok to the Theater: Why Discovery Still Matters
Don’t let his old-school influences fool you, Chris is paying attention. He finds new artists through TikTok. He studies what connects. He understands that a platform is a tool, not a strategy.
His approach? Stay authentic, stay open, and stay human. And maybe get a few more followers along the way without selling your soul.
Honoring the Black Roots of American Music
Chris may be a white man singing soul and standards. He doesn’t shy away from crediting where credit is due. He reveres African-American music as the foundation of every genre that shaped his artistry. Chris infuses funk, jazz, and gospel-tinged phrasing into his shows. He celebrates the culture that birthed the sound.
That’s why he cares about Juneteenth not just as a holiday, but as a cultural reckoning. “It matters,” he said. “Because the music I love doesn’t exist without the struggle and brilliance of Black America.”
Gratitude, Grit, and Getting Back Out There
Chris is not trying to fake relevance. From losing followers to filling out forms for the Jazz Festival, he is doing the work. He’s showing up at gigs. He is honoring local venues that supported him through the rough patches. He stays grounded in the relationships that matter.
He’s proof that gratitude isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a career strategy.
Conclusion: The Man Is the Project
The Chris Thomas Project isn’t a band. It’s a life, lived out loud. It’s the messy fusion of art, business, heartbreak, joy, performance, and persistence. And Chris? He’s still evolving, still singing, still dancing, still building something that matters.
That’s not just entertainment. That’s a blueprint.
Key Takeaways
- Chris Thomas reinvented himself through heartbreak, hustle, and honesty.
- The Chris Thomas Project is a multidimensional platform for everything he creates and curates.
- He’s launching a new big band and possibly a podcast focused on human transformation.
- Soul music, the American songbook, and Black cultural influence form the backbone of his sound.
- Vulnerability, mental health, and artistic truth are central to his comeback story.
#ChrisThomasProject #DanceAndMusic #FloridaVocalist #BallroomToBandstand #SoulMusicRevival #MentalHealthForMen #BigBandIsBack #JacksonvilleArts #TheContrastProject
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