Bay Area singer/songwriter Chris Ahlman has announced a new album, Santa Barbara Songs, coming out on March 13th, 2026. music has been an ongoing source of passion and purpose.

As the title suggests, the songs were inspired by Santa Barbara, California, a place where Ahlman maintains a special personal connection.

He shares:

From as far back as I can remember, I’ve made it a point to spend a few weeks there each year writing songs and enjoying the spectacular scenery. This album was inspired by the times that I’ve spent there and it more or less sums up a journey I’ve been fortunate to take over the course of my career. Some of the songs are brand new, while others go back as far as 20 years. Yet they all rekindle the feelings that that city has fostered every time I’m there.

Ahlman credits the musicians that contributed to Santa Barbara Songs with helping to bring his work to its fullest fruition.

This is the fourth album he’s recorded with co-producer and mixing engineer Cliff Goldmacher (Keb Mo, Ke$ha, Lisa Loeb, Mickey Hart). In addition to Chris himself on vocals and rhythm acoustic guitar, the contributors include Kerry Marx on electric guitar (Johnny Cash, Taylor Swift, John Legend, Music Director at the Grand Ole Opry), his wife Catherine Marx on hammond B3, and piano (Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire), Dave Francis on bass, Wes Little on drums, and Jessa Shown on backing vocals. 

Ahlman says:

It’s an absolute blessing to reconnect with these remarkably talented players, many of whom I’ve had the joy of working with before.