Christopher Eisenberg releases debut album

The last time Chris Eisenberg made The Observer’s headlines, he was a 12-year-old middle school singer. Back then he went by "Lil Chris" and made it to the top 48 on America’s Got Talent. Now, he’s 16 and preparing to release his debut album "Christopher XVI."

The album has six songs and a bonus track. He wrote all but one of those songs. They relate to his life and maturing as a teenager. There's a ballad about his first love, an upbeat club song, a song about the tribulations he has been through in his life, and his favorite is "The Water," featuring Nate Jacobs, the founder and Artistic Director of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, with which Christopher performs.

"It's about the water being a distraction, and the currents pulling you in certain ways and directions from your goal," Eisenberg says.

His goal has always been to produce an album. It's something he wanted since he was much younger.

"When he was 9-years-old, he looked at me and said, 'Mommy, one day I’ll have my own album,'" his proud mother, Josephine Eisenberg says.

She says that what people won't hear on the album is everything her son went through to make it happen. Staying determined in school even though he'd rather be focused on his music, holding business meetings for his entertainment LLC Iron Mountain Entertainment. Not relinquishing from his goal even if at some times it doesn’t seem like an option. Pushing through his changing voice. And maturing from "Lil Chris" to a more sophisticated and adult "Christopher."

This past summer, he went on a national tour of 15 Boys and Girls Clubs of America. And the Boys and Girls Clubs of America awarded him with the National Digital Arts Award. He wanted the “club kids” to feel inspired to pursue their own dreams, and stay focused.

"I’ve been a club kid since I was 7 years old," Eisenberg says of his connection to the Boys and Girls Club. "Growing up in that surrounding, around so many positive people, I found some of my best friends."

He’ll perform at 4:15 p.m. on Nov. 12, at Girls Inc. of Sarasota County to celebrate the release of his album and a performance in Downtown Disney on Thursday, Nov. 14. His album will be available on cdbaby, iTunes and Amazon.com. For more information on Eisenberg, visit Everything-Chris.com.