"Potlicker"

Chris Gardner

Chapeau, Québec, Canada

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Chris, known far and wide as the "Potlicker" though no one knows why, is just what you would expect from a Valley boy. He works hard, parties hard, and brings a smile to almost everyone he meets.

The Music

A guitar, a song, and a heart full of something to say.

🎬 YouTube video coming soon!

There's a rumor going around that Chris was born with a guitar in one hand and a pick in the other. He can handle pretty much all kinds of music, but it would be fair to say that his passion lies with country and bluegrass. Combine that with a great singing voice and a performer's spirit, Chris has been entertaining people for almost 50 years.

On Stage

The Show Must Go On

Every entertainer says this, but few follow through like Chris does. How many performers would tolerate minus 20 degree temperatures just to belt out a song?! Not many I would venture to say. There's also very few musicians who can claim a cat as either a co-star or groupie. But then, that's Chris. He can entertain anyone including the animal crowd.

The Animals

He may be the most popular guy in the room — depending on who's in the room.

Chris with a tiny kitten on his shoulder

Best Friends

The Kitten Approves

Chris can claim a large family and lots of "children" — though not in the usual sense. Winters in Chapeau can be harsh and long. It's not uncommon to see homeless kittens shivering in the snow needing something to eat. Chris's big heart opens wide to them every year when he feeds and cares for them. Before long, they are inside keeping Chris company and keeping him warm.

Home Sweet Home

Fire, Cat, Contentment

Only a rural Valley boy can fully appreciate the comfort of sitting in front of the fire in January as the wind blusters outside and snow flutters down. Good times and good nights.

Lap Duty

Officially Claimed

The cat has spoken — this lap belongs to her. Add your text about this moment of pure domestic bliss here.

The Adventures

Life is too short to sit still — and Chris never does.

Chris on his Sea-Doo on the Ottawa River

On the Water

Full Throttle

The Ottawa River may not be the Pacific Ocean, but try telling that to Chris. With a Sea-Doo under him and open water ahead, the man transforms into something between a Viking and a teenager who just got his license. Summer in the Valley means one thing — full throttle, wind in your face, and not a care in the world. Some people find peace in quiet moments. Chris finds it going very, very fast.

And the quest for speed continues...

Race Day

Suited Up

Long before he ever strapped on a helmet himself, Chris was a devoted fan of auto racing. These days you're just as likely to find him at the track on a summer weekend not as a spectator, but as part of the crew working to keep drivers safe and on the right side of the wall. It's a side of Chris that might surprise people who only know his fun-loving, guitar-playing self — but those who know him well understand that beneath all the laughter and good times is a man who takes the safety and wellbeing of others very seriously indeed.

The Great Outdoors

Quebec Winter

You haven't lived until you've experienced winter in eastern Ontario and western Quebec. Frigid temperatures, up to your butt in snow, and of course, your car's doors frozen shut. When that happens, Chris jumps in the plow and digs both himself and his neighbors out, only to have to do it all again until the cycle repeats itself in a week.

A Life Well Lived

EMT. Musician. Animal lover. Speed demon. Friend.

A Calling

The Man Who Showed Up

Chris has devoted his life to service. Serving Chapeau for years as a firefighter, he did so much to keep the public and the community safe. It's hard to measure the impact this had on those he helped. But one thing is certain: his music, his care for animals, his life as a devoted and loyal husband, and his ability to make people smile through humor and music definitely reflects a life well lived.

Chris posing with a werewolf in the woods

Chris posing with a friend and the author of this personal website, the Texas Chickenhawk.