Chad Urmston
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| Chad Stokes Urmston | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Charles Stokes Urmston |
| Also known as | Chetro, Charlie Stokes, Chay Stokley, Chad Stokes, Chadwick Stokes, Chicoree Stokes, Chadicca, Chetroleum Stokes [1] |
| Born | February 26, 1976 (Age 32) |
| Origin | Sherborn, Massachusetts, United States |
| Genre(s) | Rock, reggae, funk, acoustic |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Electric guitar, acoustic guitar electric bass (with Dispatch), trombone, djembe, harmonica |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Associated acts | Dispatch, Hermit Thrush, State Radio |
| Website | www.stateradio.com |
| Notable instrument(s) | |
| The "Fidel Castrol" Gas Can Guitar | |
Chad Stokes Urmston was born in Sherborn, Massachusetts. Urmston was a member of the band Hermit Thrush which later gave birth to the band Dispatch, which broke up in 2002. He currently is the frontman for the Boston, Massachusetts-area band State Radio, as well as a constant activist for improved living conditions in Zimbabwe.
[edit] Personal life
Born into a large family, which included the Antarctic Explorer and Antacrtic Marathon runner Ben, Chad graduated from Dover-Sherborn High School in 1994,[2] and went on to attend both Middlebury College and NYU. He met Pete Heimbold in 1995 and formed the band Hermit Thrush, later meeting Brad Corrigan and the three began to play together in a band called One Fell Swoop that would ultimately become known as Dispatch. Dispatch was most notably known for their grassroots college following and independent success. He is now touring with his new band, State Radio. Chad writes the majority of his songs about historical and contemporary social issues, and advocates social change in many of State Radio's songs. He is dating Sybil Gallagher, who has a key role in State Radio. Two Songs, Sybil I and Sybil II, found on Us Against the Crown and Year of the Crow, respectively, were written by him about her.
[edit] Activism
Chad has been known mostly for his political activity, and his band State Radio has toured the country and spoken out against the war in Iraq. Chad has been known to also play solo acoustic shows at locations around New England in order to promote awareness of the genocide in Sudan.
Most prominently, Urmston is known for his work to help improve the quality of life in Zimbabwe. Inspired by his time spent in Zimbabwe and a particular friendship he acquired, Chad wrote the song Elias. The song inspired a non-profit foundation, the Elias Fund, with the goals of helping Zimbabwean youths find opportunities and empowering young Americans to take an active role in society. Further, Dispatch reunited for a benefit concert in Madison Square Garden called Dispatch: Zimbabwe. This concert was held on July 13, 14, and 15, and resulted in three sold-out shows netting over one million dollars for the Dispatch Foundation.
State Radio also has done concerts for charity. Recently, while on tour with the DropKick Murphy's they did an acoustic show for charity the afternoon before a performance in Durham, New Hampshire. This performance was organized by a high school student and was to benefit the situation in Darfur. It was called Rock For Darfur.
[edit] Notes
- ^ PatchMusic - Dispatch, Braddigan, Pete Francis and State Radio Fansite
- ^ Beaderstadt, C. "State Radio's Chad Urmston takes the stage ...and takes a stand", The Lawrentian. Retrieved on 2007-06-14
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