Chris Wrate
(Musical Director / Guitarist for Ariana Grande.)
Chris who graduated from the Musicians Institute in the fall of 2009. Since graduating, Chris has gone on to work with such artists as David Foster, Daniel Powter, Lee DeWyze (American Idol Season 9 Winner), Charice, and is currently the Guitarist & Musical Director for Ariana Grande. Chris has also appeared on TV shows such as Oprah, American Idol, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, Regis & Kelly, The Today Show, Ellen & more.
Chris originates from south eastern Wisconsin, where he got his first live experiences sitting in with local blues musicians around the Chicago and Milwaukee area. While this heavily influenced Chris’s unique style, it is his versatility that has allowed him to play with a wide range of artists whether blues/pop/rock/r&b/funk or country.
While a lot of Chris’s work has been in live performance, he also has a lot of experience in writing and studio recording. Chris has helped score a national commercial for Weight Watchers and has also performed on the feature film and soundtrack for the Lion’s Gate feature film, Blood Out.
The Sonuus Wahoo pedal was used on the:
- Ariana Grande Tour, Charice Power of 2 Concert - Araneta Coliseum, Manila Philippines
What Chris says about the Sonuus Wahoo:
"I love the functionality that the Wahoo offers. The ability to control so many different parameters and program different sounds is something that no other pedal offers to my knowledge. There's been times where I've wanted a mellow wah for clean guitar parts but needed something with a little more high end to cut through on solos. With the Wahoo, I can program multiple sounds that will accommodate an entire set without being stuck with one particular wah/sound."