About a year ago when he last came through Chicago and since then, I am more than happy to recommend his styles to the world. He is a laid-back friendly guy who is more than willing to open his arms to a stranger and invite them into the world he knows.

Even though trance isn't plastered on MTV, I can honestly say that I feel it's on it's way up. Each of CL's albums are off the hook and easily worth your hard earned cash. If you are up for shackin' your tail feather like me, then get out there and check out CL - word to your mother!

Christopher, how are you doing?

Who is this?

This is Nick Powills, your Chicago buddy.

Oh, that's right. How are you man? Long time no talk.

I'm great. How have you been?

I'm really good. Man, it's really great to hear from you.

Hey man, I have to give you press any chance I get.

Oh brilliant. That's what I like to hear.

How's life been?

It's been really good. I just got back from a five-day conference in Miami. Everyone from the music industry comes.

Did you get some good deals out of that?

No, I don't do it so much to make contacts. I just use it as an opportunity to hang out with some people I know. It's like a holiday for everyone.

Right on. How's the international travel treating you?

I was just in Hong Kong over the weekend. It's really good. The club scene is really great in Asia right now. It's really good over there.

Who's jealous? This guy!

Dude, you are an innovator. You basically break down all language barriers and create this universal language through music. Not many people can say they can do that. Does that just blow your mind?

That's what the thing is. I can play in a country where I don't speak their language, but their response to the music is the same whether you are in Taiwan or Romania or the United States. It's all the same. It's incredible how even though I can't speak with you with words, I can communicate and make you feel good with the music I create.

Did having the ability to communicate globally initially attract you to this job and life?

Yeah. It touches you on a deeper level than anything else can. After encountering the music I just got attached (coughs). I don't think I have SARS (laughs).

Bet you would get some nice press if you had SARS.

Yeah (laughs and coughs again), until I die. Then, my record sales would skyrocket.

You would make it. You would be huge.

I would be huge. It's the whole James Dean syndrome.

(Laughs) You would be a superstar.

(Laughs) But dead. It would sure save me a lot of work. I would go right to No. 1 thanks to SCARS.

Fame is obviously different for you than a Britney Spears.

It totally is. What freaks me out is when I go check into my hotel and the guy checking me in goes, "Wait, are you Chris Lawrence." That just blows my mind and I'm just looking at him wondering how he knew me. It's definitely a different kind of fame, but it's great to see it because then I know the music is actually reaching out.

You are worldwide buddy. And your type of business can hit the whole world.

And it's because music is a universal language. Most other things people do in lifetime are limited by the languages.

Do big businesses come ask you to be their CEO since you are so networked in all these different languages?

(Laughs) No, that hasn't happened yet. But if it did, what would happen is I would walk in with a bag of records and they would be like, "Um, what are you doing here."

(Laughs) But then you say, "This is the new form of communication." And again, you would become huge thanks to your innovations in the business world.

(Laughs) I will give it a try. If they offered me the big bucks, I would give it a shot.

OK man, I must say I am truly jealous. Basically you just work weekends, and when you work weekends you get to go all over the world. And then, during the week you are home with your family. What a great career.

Yeah it is. Sometimes it can be really difficult when you are on the road. Sometimes I just wish I could come home. The reality is that I condense my job into just a few days and then I'm home for 24 hours a day with my family. Most people don't have that option. Most people go to work during the day and then get to spend just a brief moment in the morning and night with their families. I am truly blessed.

You have a great career.

The only thing that gets me going, is that I am never home for the holidays. Everyone gets together family and friends, but all the big dates like Christmas, New Years, Easter, I have gigs. That's the only thing I really don't like.

Is there ever going to be a part of your career when you will be able to be home?

I suppose. When the time comes to cut back on my touring. But, those are the dates that some people want to out and hear the music.

Hey man, people love you.

Yeah. (Laughs) I'm just taking a bullet for the team.

I got a great idea. Switch careers and become a white rapper. Got a name?

(Laughs) Um, yeah, my name would be Skinny White Guy.

Oh, come on, we need a funky ghetto fabulous name.

(Laughs) I think I would just stick with Skinny White Guy cause I'm skinny and I'm white (laughs).

OK, I guess I can settle for that. Sounds like it could work.

Exactly. It's what I am (laughs).

Explain to me why no one really grabs your music in the U.S.?

I really don't know. In the United States in particular it's still underground. It's been around for 15 years and still it hasn't blown up. Internationally this music is covered by all the major newspapers and on TV. It's huge.

MTV needs to pick it up, man.

Right. MTV just doesn't give enough attention to my type of music. Nothing will ever be as big as Rock n Roll. Some movements have picked up, but it takes a long time. Think about hip hop and rap. No one listened to it in the mainstream world, but now, there's a type of music that can competed with rock. Hopefully the same will happen for my type of music.

Hey, the "Real World" (on MTV) picked up your album and plays it on the show.

Yeah, they licensed the entire album, so I know they are using the tracks. That's really a great move for me.

Another step to being huge, man.

(Laughs) Something that has gotten me even more attention is I have a track on the videogame "Need for Speed Underground Two." They used my song "Rush Hour." I have been in all kinds of places when people who are not into dance, like kids, come up to me and go, "Dude, I have a videogame with your music on it." And they are connected to me. It's crazy. It's huge. Videogames hit such a wide market.

Well, it's going in the right direction for you. Hopefully you will have more record sales coming your way.

(Laughs) That's what I'm hoping.

• Nick Powills can be reached at SayWhatPOWILLS@aol.com.

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