Life & Work with Chad Borgen of L’Anse

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chad Borgen. 

Hi Chad, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello, I am Chad Borgen. I am a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and musician entertainer. 

I grew up in a household that was always alive with music. As a youth, I did not know or understand the differences between genres, I saw music as a whole. Music was music, and good music was in great abundance. 

Raised in the Upper Peninsula and Inspired by my father Emery (also a guitarist), I took up the guitar at the age of eight. By my early teens, I had begun experimenting as a songwriter and had formed my first group, “Invasion” with some neighborhood friends. 

The guitar and its potential were discovered when my father had recorded two documentaries for me to witness, “Les Paul and Friends” and “Jimi Hendrix plays The Monterey Pop Festival”. Both of these documentaries have had a major influence on my passion for songwriting, recording, and live performance. This opened my eyes and ears to the endless possibilities of what music can achieve. 

I knew instinctively that the guitar would open positive paths throughout my life. Forging a successful passage of musical opportunities and exploration that have taken me to many areas globally. This has helped mold my “audible identity”. I have been fortunate to share the stage with national acts, such as Josh Turner, Joe Nichols, David Allan Coe, Blackhawk, Cecil Allan Moore, Nashville Songwriter Gary Hannan, Low Cash, Kyle Jennings, Stone Senate, Lita Ford, Winger, and Firehouse. 

My latest musical outlet, Chad Borgen and The Collective, is perhaps the best vehicle to help channel my fondness of songwriting and live performance. At the center of this group is a tasteful awareness of musical appreciation. The Collective’s fusion of rock and country is quite the amalgamation. In 2021, I released my first single “Bee Kind (to them”. Since then, I have released seven additional singles. The latest song is titled “Country Music” and is a nod to my country music heroes. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve been performing for over 30 years, but I have only started performing under my own moniker since 2018. 

Working for other musicians had become increasingly more difficult as I was also a single father raising a daughter. I tried balancing both being a father, following my dreams, and holding down a 40 plus hour job. After years of being stretched too far and never feeling I was appreciated or respected, I decided it was time to move on from working for other musicians. It was my daughter’s senior year, and I was tired of missing her life. I walked away from a great group of musicians, but only after being pushed too far. I originally wanted to stop all together, but after being convinced by a good friend that it wasn’t a wise choice, I continued my musical quest. 

Some of my other struggles have been from within. Though I have enjoyed performing on stage, self-worth and confidence were a struggle throughout my life. I used to second guess myself a lot. After meeting my wife Nata in 2015, my life began to change. Her gentle and loving spirit helped strengthen my foundation. She has helped me see the importance of my gifts and encourages me to share them while enjoying life as well. 

All in all, I will say the positive experiences I have allowed into my life have far outweighed the negative. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I perform roughly between 60-75 shows a year. This includes everything from Festivals, theaters, bars, private performances and clubs. This schedule has been increasing each year since the lift of COVID restrictions and allows me to enjoy my home life while also following my dreams. I also work for a company that designs and manufactures heavy machinery. Their flexibility has allowed me to balance my life a bit easier. 

I am most proud of following my dreams and never giving up. Being afraid of failing, but never of trying and with trying I’ve faced my fear. I look forward to furthering the journey. 

What sets me apart from others is an interblending of sound that is distinctively deep rooted, served up with plenty of humor and a slight animated wild abandonment in a performance not to be missed. It’s a nod to my musical peers, all while mixing it up and creating a high octane frothy, funky, chicken pluckin’, Rock’n’roll Country Show. 

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Frank Zappa said, “Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.” 

If we don’t leave our comfort zones from time to time, we tend not to grow, I could not be living the life I have and desired without taking risks. There were times I thought no one was listening. Some nights ended with, “was I wasting my life”? Instead of giving up, I surrounded myself with positive people and continued forward. Falling down along the way but taking in the lessons presented. There are still more failures to come, but with that more successes too. I tend to believe betting on yourself has the best odds. Take the risk, you are worth it. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chadborgen.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chad_borgen_collective/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chad.borgen.offical.music
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ChadBorgenMusic
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/chad-borgen
• Other: https://music.amazon.com/artists/B08XZRYL21/chad-borgen?refMarker=null

Image Credits
Haley Goodreau
Ava Borgen
Mike Ilmonen