PREORDER WORTH EVERY NAIL, releasing October 23rd, 2026.
Living Nashville legend, Chris Gantry is an artistic outsider amongst Nashville's Music Row- a real deal "outlaw" years before the country music movement gained prominence.
A native of Queens, NY and son of a classical pianist, Gantry (born Cedzich) had a record deal in high school, but left the famous Brill Building behind in 1963 to chase the Nashville sound. Practically living in clubs, he befriended lifelong compatriots like Kris Kristofferson, both men soon signing to Combine publishing and its parent record label, Monument.
Gantry is the man who had the fancy of Johnny Cash, topping charts with songs performed by Glenn Campbell, but crafting his own albums in decidedly un-Nashville styles like the brilliant folk psychedelia of 1970’s Motor Mouth and the shelved follow up, At the House of Cash, of which the Man in Black told Chris “I don’t think even the drug people are gonna understand it.”
After releasing one markedly more conventional album on ABC Dot records in 1975, Gantry stepped away from commercial music, turning his focus to family and getting lost in Key West, writing poetry and stage plays with friend Shel Silverstein. The island muse followed him into the 80s through various music exploits. In more recent years, he saw the release of the decades-lost House of Cash album by Drag City Records and numerous independent releases. He is a regular at the iconic Bluebird Cafe listening room, continues to perform between Tennessee and Texas and writes prolifically.
Gantry has now recorded with former Drag City label mates Silver Jews and longtime Third Man Records collaborators on his first studio album in 7 years, Worth Every Nail- a return to Gantry's crossover albums from the late 60's/early 70's that cemented his status as a true Nashville maverick.