Christian Porter

The next local entertainer in the spotlight is Christian Porter, a 16-year-old Stroudsburg resident who is absolutely amazing. He writes original songs, performs cover songs, plays guitar and keyboard and is an all-around amazing performer.

"I got my first guitar, an electric guitar, in September 2005 for my birthday. Once I learned how to play it, I started singing along. I have played piano since I was younger. A month into playing guitar, I wrote my first song, "Why Can't You See." I have written about 12 songs since then," Porter explained.

He was featured on the Gary in the Morning internet radio show recently and has played a few times at the Sarah Street Grill in Stroudsburg as well as other venues.

"He is a very good young artist getting ready to release his first CD produced by Randy Bigness. He will be here a lot, more as a single and possibly with a band," Sarah Street Grill General Manager Jerry Wallace said. His album is set to release at the end of April.

With his original songs that just make you wonder if he is really just 16 years old and the cover songs by The Fray, Snow Patrol, John Mayer and other popular music acts, this kid is going somewhere. Remember him. Go see him. He will be performing at the Sarah Street Grill again on April 29 at 9:30 p.m.

You can check him out at his Web site at www.christianportermusic.com or at www.myspace.com/christianportermusic.com.

- The Pocono Record

BABY MICHAEL BENINCASA BENEFIT CONCERT
Featuring Christian Porter, Regina Sayles, and Randy Bigness

A benefit concert with popular local entertainment will take place at Sarah Street Grill in Stroudsburg on Saturday, September 6 from 3-6 p.m. All proceeds will benefit baby Michael Benincasa of Brodheadsville.

Michael was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, or SMA, at only a month old. His family was told that he probably wouldn’t live past a few months old. He just celebrated his first birthday in July.

At this time, there is no cure for SMA. The family found out about a successful treatment that helps children with SMA to have a better quality of life. The medical society feels that a cure is only a few short years away so this treatment could very well keep Michael alive and comfortable while the cure is being finalized. The treatments are only done in the Dominican Republic as they are not FDA approved in the U.S. yet. The treatments are very costly and the family needs assistance from the community to save their little boy.

Many benefits have taken place over the past few months and were all successful. The family almost has the amount needed for Michael’s treatments, which are scheduled for the end of September. We are hoping with the Sarah Street benefit concert, we will be able to give the family the final amount needed.

As well as wonderful entertainment by popular local musicians that are giving their time to baby Michael for free, we will be having a 50/50 and small tricky tray type auction. Donations will be accepted instead of a set door fee. Sarah Street will also be donating a percentage of food and drink sales to the family.

I am asking the community to come together and help if possible. If you are able to donate a product, gift certificate or service for the tricky tray, anything would be welcomed and appreciated.

We are also collecting pop tabs off of soda cans. They will be recycled and the money will be donated to the family the day of the benefit.

If you are able and willing to help with an item for the tricky tray or if you are able to collect pop tabs, please let me know. Any help is appreciated as all that are planning the benefit and performing are doing this out of the goodness of their hearts with no ask for any return. A little assistance can go a long way and may save an innocent baby’s life.

Contact: Melanie VanDerveer
Telephone: 570-588-1398
Cell phone: 732-754-7399
Email: publicist@christianportermusic.com or janaelex@aol.com

- Melanie VanDerveer

By MELANIE VANDERVEER
Pocono Record Writer
August 20, 2008
Do you have what it takes to be the next American Idol?
That is the question on tons of people's minds this week at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J. Yes, New Jersey, not New York like the network wants everyone to believe.
When the show premieres in January and the auditions are shown, everyone will be screaming New York, not New Jersey. But they were at the Meadowlands.
Long lines, wristbands, waiting around and singing with strangers was the scene at the Meadowlands Sports Complex with tons of Idol wannabes trying their hand at wowing the judges.
This is the last stop on the "American Idol" audition tour. Season 8 auditions started out in San Francisco on July 17 and traveled across the country, stopping at eight locations along the way. The Izod Center is the only East Coast location, so singers from this side of the U.S. all gathered this past Sunday to get a wristband for Tuesday's auditions.
"We got here around 2:30 a.m. and there were a lot of people already here," Joe Primiano of Stroudsburg said. His 16-year-old daughter, Julian is hoping to get a pass to the next round.
The multi-day process began on Sunday with lines that wrapped around the complex with singers wanting a wristband. "There is a lot of waiting," Stroudsburg resident Adriana Stigliano said. "The waiting was fun though."
Tuesday morning was the beginning of the process that many of these "Idol" hopefuls have dreamed about for many seasons.
"Everyone that got a wristband on Sunday got in to sing for a team of judges," Primiano said. "There has to be more than 30,000 people here,"
Each contestant has about 20 seconds to win over a panel of judges to be able to move on to the round we all know and love, singing for the critical judges: Randy, Paula and Simon. That part of the process will not take place until November.
"We are all seated in the arena and they are taking us in a section at a time for the first round," Stroudsburg resident Christian Porter said while waiting for his turn. "There are 14 tables of one to two judges each. You either get a green pass to go on to the next round or you get your wristband snipped off."
Behind the scenes, things are different from what many imagine. "This isn't like what television portrays," Porter said.
"There were some unbelievable talent there and they were cut. They let through some really crazy people," Porter said.
His mother, Lori, added, "There was no rhyme or reason to it."
"Idol" host Ryan Seacrest and season 6 winner Jordin Sparks were both at the arena getting the crowd ready.
"Jordin Sparks said hi to the crowd and wished us all luck," Stigliano said.
"We were so close to Ryan Seacrest that I brushed up against him. He was out in the crowd with us," Porter said.
"He signed autographs even when producers told him to stop," Lori Porter said.
This is not the first time that "Idol" has used the Meadowlands as an audition site. Back in 2006, auditions drew in a crowd of about 16,000 people.
"It was really exciting and a good experience," Stigliano said.
The three Stroudsburg hopefuls are not allowed to disclose if they got a green pass to go onto the next round. That is something that everyone will just have to wait and see when the new season begins.
The show that premiered on June 11, 2002, has been a hit since day one. The eighth season of the hit show kicks off in January.
- The Pocono Record

At 16, Pocono bar musician hears Casio, 'High School Musical 2' and 'Idol' calling.
Christian Porter has made a name for himself with local gigs like this one, on April 10 at East Stroudsburg University.
Keith R. Stevenson/Sharp
By THE ROADIE
For Sharp
May 08, 2008
It's tough to establish a following with the bar crowd when you're still five years from being able to buy a beer. Or when you've still got a curfew.

But that's the task 16-year-old Christian Porter is trying to accomplish. The East Stroudsburg resident and Notre Dame High School junior has been making waves locally lately, establishing some local gigs at places like East Stroudsburg University and Sarah Street Grill.

Related Stories
CHRISTIAN PORTER VIDEO CHRISTIAN PORTER
WHERE TO FIND HIM: He's got a pretty open schedule in May, but will play the Seaside Music Festival in Seaside Heights, N.J., on May 16.


A MAN OF MANY INSTRUNMENTS: He started playing the guitar in 2005 and has been playing the keyboards since he was a small child.


SCHOOL DAZE: His mom, Lori, said that despite the sometimes-late hours on school nights, his grades aren't suffering. In fact ... "His grades have never been better since juggling the performing with school," she said. "He is so much happier since he found music and much more confident."


HIS FAVES: He counts John Mayer, Jack Johnson, The Fray and Teddy Geiger as his favorite musicians.
Now if he can only conquer his senior year in high school, which he'll spend at the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Performing Arts in Bethlehem.

"School is hard right now, but I love music so much that I can't give it up," Porter said.

He did a three-part audition to get into the prestigious Bethlehem school, but his biggest audition is coming this week. He's in Orlando, Fla., to audition for the next "High School Musical" sequel.

The audition actually will be taped as a reality show and then be aired on ABC starting July 20. (He hopes to audition for another little musical reality show — a small show called "American Idol" — sometime in the future.)

The Orlando flight left Wednesday. Just hours earlier, he played a gig at Sarah Street. Those kind of gigs are necessary, if not a little out the restaurant's normal age range for performers, because you never know who's in the seats.

That became evident when Porter played a gig there recently — and in the crowd was Melissa Keklak, public relations manager for Casio America. Casio is a keyboard maker — one that wanted him on board.

"I saw him at Sarah Street and I kept thinking how great he was. I talked to his dad about bringing him into Casio," Keklak said.

The rest was easy — he played for Casio management and could have some endoresement deals in the future.

Keklak also said Porter could be the star of a new instructional video.

"We are looking to do a learning video to bundle with the Privia keyboards," she said. "Aspiring keyboard players would learn from it. We will use Christian on this. I absolutely adore him to death. He is one of the first younger musicians that we took on."

When it comes to local gigs, he's still keeping a full schedule. He just finished a show at Borders on Route 611, as the bookstore recently started an acoustic music series. He'll be back there June 21.

He's also got more gigs at Sarah Street and other local spots, though his schedule for most of May is open.

Save for any reality shows.

To have your band featured in a future issue of Sharp, e-mail editor@sharpmag.com.
- Sharp Entertainment Magazine

Christian Porter sings at East Stroudsburg University on April 10.
Keith R. Stevenson/Pocono Record
By MELANIE VanDERVEER
Pocono Record Writer
May 09, 2008
Sixteen-year-old East Stroudsburg resident Christian Porter is taking the music industry by storm. He is a triple threat, with awesome vocals and natural talent on guitar and keyboards.

He has played the keyboard since he was a small child but only started playing guitar after he got one as a birthday gift in September 2005.

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Christian Porter Biography
Parents: Paul and Lori


Siblings: Nicholas, 19 and Rosemary, 8


Birthday: Sept. 26, 1991


School: 11th grade at Notre Dame


Pets: A poodle named Bunny.


Favorite musical artists: John Mayer, Jack Johnson, The Fray, Teddy Geiger


Favorite original song: In the Lead


Favorite television show: VH1 Jumpstart


Goal in life: To pursue his musical career to the best of my ability, if it is God's will.


Random information: Just a normal 17-year-old who enjoys soccer, baseball and snowboarding.


Upcoming Performances


May 16 - Seaside Music Festival


June 7 - Papapalooza/Johnny O's


June 20 - Great Bear Golf and Country Club


June 21 - Borders Books and Music, Stroudsburg


July 5 - Great Bear Golf and Country Club


July 8 - Sarah Street Grill


Aug. 8 - Great Bear Golf and Country Club
Opportunities are just knocking down his door. He isn't even going out looking for them, they are hunting him down.

Porter writes his own music, throws in some cover songs and with each song, a fan is born. He has been playing at the Sarah Street Grill for a few months now and has created a solid fan base fairly quickly.

"Christian is really good, very talented," East Stroudsburg University student Max Cohen said. His friend Gareth Mason added, "He has a great selection of music."

Porter played at ESU on April 30 for the end-of-the-year party. "I asked Christian to play for the end-of-the-year party because I have seen him perform at Sarah Street and he is great," said Karen Wallace, retail manager for ARAMARK at ESU.

Patrick Estus, a student at ESU as well as a musician, enjoyed watching Porter perform. "I think that Christian is really talented. He has a great touch. Overall, he is fantastic."

Along with Porter was his producer and fellow musician, Randy Bigness. Bigness is the owner of the Mackie Muscle Car and brought that along for fans to enjoy. "Just open the trunk and there is the sound," Bigness said.

Porter has played many times at Sarah Street Grill and from those performances, great things are happening. He is set to play at Borders Books and Music in Stroudsburg a few times over the course of the next month and Great Bear Golf and Country Club over the summer months.

"Christian is the first artist I am producing and it has been exciting," Bigness said.

Bigness has been a musician for some time and has a few awards to show for his talent. He is currently working on his second CD. His first CD, "Blue Tornado," was well-received in the area.

Bigness has been helping Porter in any way he can. "I just recently built the recording studio in East Stroudsburg this past year and Christian is the first to record a CD there," Bigness said.

Besides playing all around the Poconos, Porter has some exciting upcoming events. "We are flying to Orlando on May 7 so Christian can audition for High School Musical: Summer Session," said Paul Porter, Christian's dad and manager.

The open call will be taped as a reality show and the winner will get a part in the newest High School Musical movie. The reality show will debut on ABC on July 20 at 8 p.m.

"I am excited to fly in for the audition on Wednesday. The winner gets to be a part of the High School Musical family," Porter said.

Porter just found out that after a three-part interview he was accepted into the elite Lehigh Valley Performing Arts School in Bethlehem for his senior year of high school. Half of the school day will be spent doing academic work and the other half will be spent doing what he loves best, performing.

Another exciting thing for Porter has been his sponsorship with Casio America. After being spotted at Sarah Street Grill by Melissa Keklak, the public relations manager of Casio America, a partnership was inevitable. "I saw him at Sarah Street and I kept thinking how great he was. I talked to his dad about bringing him into Casio," Keklak said.

Porter had the honor of going into Casio and performing for all of the upper management. "Everyone just loved him," Keklak said. Because of this performance, Porter and Casio have some things in the works.

"We are looking to do a learning video to bundle with the Privia keyboards. Aspiring keyboard players would learn from it. We are using Christian on this," Keklak said. Porter will be the guide on the video helping to teach others to play.

"I absolutely adore him to death. He is one - The Pocono Record

At 16, Pocono bar musician hears Casio, 'High School Musical 2' and 'Idol' calling.
Christian Porter has made a name for himself with local gigs like this one, on April 10 at East Stroudsburg University.
Keith R. Stevenson/Sharp
By THE ROADIE
For Sharp
May 08, 2008
It's tough to establish a following with the bar crowd when you're still five years from being able to buy a beer. Or when you've still got a curfew.

But that's the task 16-year-old Christian Porter is trying to accomplish. The East Stroudsburg resident and Notre Dame High School junior has been making waves locally lately, establishing some local gigs at places like East Stroudsburg University and Sarah Street Grill.

Related Stories
CHRISTIAN PORTER VIDEO CHRISTIAN PORTER
WHERE TO FIND HIM: He's got a pretty open schedule in May, but will play the Seaside Music Festival in Seaside Heights, N.J., on May 16.


A MAN OF MANY INSTRUNMENTS: He started playing the guitar in 2005 and has been playing the keyboards since he was a small child.


SCHOOL DAZE: His mom, Lori, said that despite the sometimes-late hours on school nights, his grades aren't suffering. In fact ... "His grades have never been better since juggling the performing with school," she said. "He is so much happier since he found music and much more confident."


HIS FAVES: He counts John Mayer, Jack Johnson, The Fray and Teddy Geiger as his favorite musicians.
Now if he can only conquer his senior year in high school, which he'll spend at the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Performing Arts in Bethlehem.

"School is hard right now, but I love music so much that I can't give it up," Porter said.

He did a three-part audition to get into the prestigious Bethlehem school, but his biggest audition is coming this week. He's in Orlando, Fla., to audition for the next "High School Musical" sequel.

The audition actually will be taped as a reality show and then be aired on ABC starting July 20. (He hopes to audition for another little musical reality show — a small show called "American Idol" — sometime in the future.)

The Orlando flight left Wednesday. Just hours earlier, he played a gig at Sarah Street. Those kind of gigs are necessary, if not a little out the restaurant's normal age range for performers, because you never know who's in the seats.

That became evident when Porter played a gig there recently — and in the crowd was Melissa Keklak, public relations manager for Casio America. Casio is a keyboard maker — one that wanted him on board.

"I saw him at Sarah Street and I kept thinking how great he was. I talked to his dad about bringing him into Casio," Keklak said.

The rest was easy — he played for Casio management and could have some endoresement deals in the future.

Keklak also said Porter could be the star of a new instructional video.

"We are looking to do a learning video to bundle with the Privia keyboards," she said. "Aspiring keyboard players would learn from it. We will use Christian on this. I absolutely adore him to death. He is one of the first younger musicians that we took on."

When it comes to local gigs, he's still keeping a full schedule. He just finished a show at Borders on Route 611, as the bookstore recently started an acoustic music series. He'll be back there June 21.

He's also got more gigs at Sarah Street and other local spots, though his schedule for most of May is open.

Save for any reality shows.

To have your band featured in a future issue of Sharp, e-mail editor@sharpmag.com.
- Sharp Entertainment Magazine

The Voice, 2013 Contestant, Christian Porter just released a new track, “Ball + Chain.” This is more of an acoustic driven track, which forces his vocals to the forefront of the song. His voice is absolutely stunning. His tone and his delivery are both impressive. This is definitely the perfect song for Valentine’s Day. Make sure to add this one to your playlists. - JERRETT FRANKLIN