Chad Carlson is a solo acoustic performer based out of Shabbona, Illinois, where he lives with his wife and two sons. His approach to music is simple and rooted in tradition—songs that tell a story, played in a way that feels honest and familiar.

His connection to country music started early. At 15, Chad got his first Merle Haggard record, which sparked a lifelong appreciation for classic country and the artists who defined it. Later, while teaching himself guitar in college, he discovered the songwriting of Steve Earle, opening the door to alt-country and Americana and shaping the broader direction of his musical taste.

In the mid-2000s, Chad met Grant Stoker during late nights at KJ’s Tap, where the two—along with bar owner Jim Drury—would sit and play for hours. Out of those sessions, the band StrokerRed was formed. From 2009 to around 2018, StrokerRed became a regular name across Northern Illinois, playing bars, pubs, festivals, and events with a no-frills outlaw country sound.

During that time, the band shared stages with national acts including Joe Nichols, Rodney Atkins, Eric Paslay, and The Pimps, and performed at regional events like Country Thunder Wisconsin, DeKalb CornFest, Genoa Days, Creston Days, and KishFest. As the years went on, life shifted—band members got married, started families, and eventually StrokerRed was put to rest.

Now, with those years behind him and his kids a little older, Chad has returned to playing music on his own terms. His solo shows focus on acoustic guitar and mandolin, built around a low baritone vocal and a setlist that leans heavily on country music from the 1950s through the early 1990s—what he considers the core of the genre. Alongside those songs, he weaves in select Americana influences that carry the same spirit of storytelling and authenticity.

His live shows are designed to connect with the room—playing songs people recognize, keeping the energy steady, and creating an atmosphere that fits naturally in dive bars, local venues, and small stages. Whether it’s a three-hour set or stretching closer to four, the goal stays the same: play good songs, play them well, and keep people engaged.

Outside of performing, Chad owns and operates RedTone Studio, a small DIY recording space built behind his home. Focused on analog gear and a laid-back approach, the studio offers a comfortable environment for capturing real performances without overcomplicating the process.

At its core, everything Chad does—on stage or in the studio—comes back to the same idea: keep it simple, keep it real, and let the songs speak for themselves.