At seventeen, he moved to the East Coast and performed with several groups, and for a short time played in a band led by David Johansen, who later formed The New York Dolls.

In addition to songwriting and singing, Daniels played lead guitar, mandolin, and banjo with Magic Music, whose members included Will Luckey, George Cahill, Bill Makepeace, Navarro/Leftover Salmon bassist Rob Galloway and Kevin Mulburn.

[3] In 2018 television producer Lee Aronsohn filmed and released an award winning documentary about the band titled, 40 Years in the Making: The Magic Music Movie.

[5] After receiving his degree, Daniels returned to Colorado and formed Spoons, who in 1981 released the album Definitely Live on Sunshine Records.

In 1982, he toured the United States with Russell Smith of the Amazing Rhythm Aces, performing on guitar, mandolin, and banjo.

He underwent chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant via stem cells from his sister, Dr. Jane Moffet, and returned to recording, teaching and performing that fall.

[10][12] As a songwriter, Daniels has collaborated with artists including Gary Nicholson, Al Kooper, and Bill Payne and his songs have appeared on albums by Hazel Miller and Tom Wasinger, among others.

[10][13] In 2015, Daniels released Funky to the Bone, which was critically acclaimed by international media outlets and blues and soul magazines including Downbeat and Roots Music Report.

[17][18] In 2024, 2024 Chris Daniels & The Kings with Freddi Gowdy released 40: Blues With Horns Volume II celebrating their 40th year.