Chris Corbett grew up in Draperstown (Ballinascreen), Co. Derry and Cookstown, Co. Tyrone. His father's side of the family were very musical and his grandfather played the fiddle in a little ensemble providing music for the silent movies at the local cinema in Kanturk, Co. Cork. Chris began to play the harmonica at the age of seven when he found one abandoned in a drawer at home. Unfortunately, he discovered just too late that an earwig had taken up residence in it.

 

Undaunted, and encouraged by his father, he persevered with the de-earwigged harmonica, later taking up the tin whistle, guitar and mandolin, before settling on the flute as his preferred instrument.