Chris Houchin, handsome, talented and good with his hands.  Now that I have your attention, let me explain how talented this guy really is.   Now called "The Rock and Roll Gardener" by his friends and fans alike, the guy who hails from New Haven, CT has taken Hollywood by storm.   He's no valley boy, he's no beach boy, but he's soon to be one of the hottest performers with his wonderful band "The Hoochie Coo Band," which performs all over very nice venues in Hollywood and Palm Desert.   Many people cross my path in this business, but when Chris guest starred on our mutual friends', Ed and Rachelle Begley's show, "Living with Ed" on HGTV, he managed to peak my professional interests and  also the attention of HGTV's honchos and several other Hollywood producers when he proved that he could work for Ed Begley, Jr.  Come on, by now if you've seen Ed's show you can see he's a handful.   But he has a heart of gold.  Not only did he and Rachelle have Chris on, but I was honored to do their show as well.  There are no more loyal friends in this town than Ed and Rachelle.  

Back to Chris.  He guest starred and showed the viewers how he uses "silent" gardening techniques to keep things down to a minimum in his clients yards and gardens.   Never using those loud leaf blowers, that also produce the smog and pollution of seventeen gas burning automobiles.  "Ed and Rachelle are great to work with.  They respect me and I respect what they are doing as well to help save the earth and make this a more liveable planet.  Each of us can do our own thing to make things better.  My clients love the quiet gardening that I am able to conduct and I enjoy it too.  A lot of times when I am gardening, new songs are going through my head and I am able to concentrate on my music, while doing what I love."  For those interested in this man's silent gardening skills and you are in the Los Angeles area, you can reach him at: Chrishouchin@yahoo.com or go to his website for the gardening business, which is at:  www.quietgardenlandscaping.com. 

But for those of you who want to hear the best rock and roll band since, well, since never, these guys are superb.  Chris is a singer and lead guitarist and if you can take your eyes off of him for one moment, I know ladies, it's very hard to do, but listen to his rich and skilled voice.  This band is seen and heard all over venues in southern California.   They will be performing at shows on March 24 and 28 in Hollywood.  You can find where and times at:  www.hoochiecooband.com, which is his band's official website.   "I'm in the process of looking for a business manager, someone who can handle the business side of things.  I'm very happy with my music, with the quiet gardening but I would like to take things to the next level."  Chris may be on his way.  HGTV as well as several Hollywood producers who happen to be friends with the handsome singer, gardener have contacted him about the "Rock and Roll Gardener" idea.  He's a natural.  He's already done commercials for TV, has entertained throughout the Middle East with a USO Tour and has released an excellent CD that gives a new meaning to the word "Cool," which is called "Ride Ride Ride," a very southern California feel for the surfing crowd.  But not only that, Chris performs regularly in Palm Desert at many great venues, most importantly Augusta Restaurant in Palm Desert, one of the most respected and classy clubs on the west coast. 

When you talk to Chris you forget he's a musician.  He's very laid back, but extremely talented and easy to talk to.     He's one of those men that can do it all, he's able to take care of the garden, but also able to make you forget all your problems when you hear his very interesting and charismatic band's sound.   He gives his bandmates credit for their accomplishments too and realizes that in this industry it's really a team effort.   

"A year from now, I'd love to be traveling the world with my band and making beautiful music, maybe working on my own TV show, but still doing gardening for my favorite clients, like the Begley's, but yes, music is my first love."

Hey Chris, I'm going along for the ride!

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