Country Guitarist Chris Rodriguez Accused of Assaulting Wife

photo via Metro Nashville Police Department

UPDATE: Country Guitarist Chris Rodriguez Convicted on Assault Charge

See original article below.

Country and contemporary Christian artist Chris Rodriguez who is currently a member of the band The Rise Above with Rascal Flatts member Jay DeMarcus—and has worked as a touring musician for Keith Urban, Shania Twain, and many others—was charged with Aggravated Assault – Strangulation for an incident that occurred on June 13th in Nashville. He was arrested for the offense on June 17th, and the felony charges are currently pending in the Davidson County court in Nashville.

According to the affidavit obtained by Saving Country Music, police were dispatched to the home of 61-year-old Chris Rodriguez and his wife Charlotte Medley after she called about a domestic disturbance. Ms. Medley told police the two had arrived home separately after having gone out for the night, and that she could tell Mr. Rodriguez was angry about something. Ms. Medley tried to barricade herself in a bedroom for her protection, but before she could get a chair in front of the door, Mr. Rodriguez forced himself in, and allegedly started hitting her with a closed fist.

When Ms. Medley fell back on the bed, she alleges Mr. Rodriguez put both hands around her neck and started choking her. She says she never lost consciousness, but was not able to breath for a period. Ms. Medley then reportedly fell on the floor, and Mr. Rodriguez continued to strike her with a closed fist until she tried to push him off and strike him back and he left the room. Ms. Medley then barricaded the door, and called the police. Officers observed bruises on the left side of Charlotte Medley’s face, and swelling and an abrasion on her right arm.

After the incident, a protection order was signed, which Chris Rodriguez allegedly violated in a separate incident, resulting in a Criminal Contempt charge. Mr. Rodriguez had a court date on July 14th, and is scheduled to be in court again on August 2nd for the Criminal Contempt charge, and on September 15th for the Aggravated Assault – Strangulation charge.

A native of The Bronx, Chris Rodriguez moved to Nashville and became an in-demand session guitarist throughout the 90’s, appearing on recordings from Vince Gill, Shania Twain, Faith Hill, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Lee Ann Womack, and others. He participated in Shania Twain’s “The Woman in Me” TV tour band from 1995 to 1996, toured with Keith Urban from 2005 to 2010, and has also toured with Faith Hill, Kelly Clarkson, and LeAnn Rimes.

Also active in the Christian music market, Rodriguez released a solo album on Word Records called Beggar’s Paradise in 1999. In October of 2020, it was announced Chris Rodriguez would be part of the supergroup The Rise Above with Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts, along with Deen Castronovo of Journey, and Jason Scheff of Chicago. The group is expected to release their debut album in 2021.

UPDATE 8/8/2021: A copy of the affidavit from the Davidson County Court can be seen below.

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