Lacking any formal musical education or training with any instrument, Chris felt his limitations when it came to composing music. Although some of his earlier efforts did include scoring, Chris noted that most of this composition work always ended up sounding entirely too much like another well-known song. And for good reason. In order to define lyrical structure, Chris tends to find inspiration in a familiar melody or beat pattern. "A song or melody I hear usually gives me the inspiration to develop a line or phrase that sticks in my head. Attach the inspiring element, and the rest of the words just flow." Chris states "I am amazed by some of the contacts I have made through Song of the Year about my lyrics. Its amazing that people have came across my lyrics and feel that same sense of inspiration."