Musician with Greenfield ties to play here

Sometimes the best laid plans can get interrupted.

That’s where Chris Patterson found himself after a 2024 motorcycle accident in the Story County town of Nevada, where he lives, left him with 14 fractures last year and a six-week recovery.

In the midst of bouncing back from that accident, Patterson, a singer-songwriter with several projects, including the band Great Caesar’s Goat, had to cancel several shows, including one here in Greenfield.

In every situation, he was able to find another act for the venue — but it was still hard.

Patterson is excited to be bringing his band Great Caesar’s Goat back to the Warren Cultural Center 7 p.m. this Saturday. Tickets are still available for the performance online at www.warrenculturalcenter.com or at the door. They are $25 for adults and free for students high school and younger.

“I’m thrilled to be coming to play the Warren Cultural Center. My grandmother, Maurece Lydon Musmaker, had her senior prom and graduation in that building,” Patterson said. “I’m going to be thinking a lot about how she was dancing on that same floor that hopefully people will be dancing on Saturday.”

Patterson’s grandmother was also robbed by Bonnie and Clyde at a bank in Stuart. She grew up on a farm near Arbor Hill. His great grandfather, Richard Lydon, was an Irish Fiddle player who would hold barn dances on Saturday nights, and Patterson has penned a song called “Arbor Hill” about that.

Patterson’s maternal great grandfather was an influential attorney, banker and philanthropist in Greenfield and his grandfather George was an insurance man with an office on the square, an avid golfer (who holds the course record) and loved music.

“I can remember him playing his organ and singing in his home across from the city park on NE Grant Street. I spent a great deal of time there,” Patterson said. “I have fond memories of playing at the park, going swimming at the pool and heading to Piper’s to buy something special. I also saw many movies at the theater and bought my first record from Gill Wallace’s store.”

Patterson’s biography reads that his music “lives in the space between hard truth and redemption. His goal is to exude grit, grace and the open road while creating tunes that reverberate the pulse of the American Midwest — songs about small towns, lost chances, love that lingers and highways that seem to never end.

Chris’ parents are the late Jerry Patterson and Anne Musmaker, who now lives in Nevada.

While his roots are in Iowa, Patterson has called eight states home from coast to coast and has spent influential time living in two iconic music cities — Nashville and Austin, Texas.

Patterson’s first collaborative project was a band called Leaving, TX, which had a sound that blended country storytelling, folk introspection and rock-and-roll into a very unique sound.

Great Caesar’s Goat is Patterson’s latest project. The group came about when he returned to the Midwest. The sound has evolved into something louder and freer, yet still grounded in the same storytelling soul that defined his earlier music. The band has made a name for themselves playing with alt-country grit, roadhouse rock and honky-tonk heart vibes, “performing with a chemistry that only comes from miles traveled and miles to go.”

Patterson, who has performed extensively in bands and as a solo artist, said he enjoys doing both equally. Playing solo creates a deep connection between the performer and the audience. Playing with a band brings about a deep connection between those on stage as well as the audience.

“I love playing with the band as well because you can get loud and raucous, it’s fun and it’s certainly less serious,” Patterson said, adding he and his guitar player have played for many years as an acoustic duo.

Patterson just tries to schedule as many shows as he can, no matter the format.

“Being on stage is the highlight of my day, week or month, depending on what’s going on. I just really enjoy performing, getting my music out there and seeing people smiling, their feet tapping, singing and dancing. I like to spread joy,” Patterson said. "