BIOGRAPHY

In the tradition of Woody Guthrie, Charlie uses his music as a vehicle to build a better world  through programs like Music to Life, Stop the Hate, monthly performances in the local spinal cord injury unit, and countless charities and events that advocate for human rights and environmental action. Charlie’s music is both informed and inspired by the amazing individuals who give themselves to these causes. He does not see his music as political, but honest. Honest about the events the songs are written about. Honest about the impact these events had on our lives, and honest about the agency and advocacy resulting from these events. Charlie believes if you have an honest song, the truth will shine. Throughout the 90’s and early 2000s, Charlie was a regular throughout the Great Lakes region performing at bookstores, cafes, festivals, and hosting open mics. His 1997 performances at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum during their weeklong program Woody Guthrie: Hard Travelin’, helped to establish him as a local authority on Guthrie’s music and life. This led to more workshops and performances throughout the US on the subject. In 2010 Charlie sustained a spinal cord injury leaving him as a high functioning quadriplegic. Following surgery and physical therapy, set out to re-establish his music career with a new enthusiasm born out of his personal tragedy. Recognizing that his former level of activity in his new physical situation was unsustainable, he his focus turned toward building a stronger national presence in the folk community. This focused helped to gain him attention from a wider audience and helped to establish his music on folk radio programs throughout the USA and Canada. His song “Remember Who We Are” won second place in the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival. His CD Something to Believe was the featured album on WFMT Chicago’s Midnight Special, and his song “Up Among the Stars” was featured on No Depression. His involvement in a wider folk community led him into service where he began volunteering with Folk Alliance International where he is currently serving on the Board of Directors. This work included serving as a workshop coordinator for Folk Alliance Region Midwest where he ultimately took over the role of  FARM President (2020-2023). He has also serves as president to the Northeast Ohio organization Folknet. Charlie is also a juried artist with Music to Life, a member of the Folk Alliance Cultural Equity Council, and serves as the disability advocate and chair to the City of Cleveland Heights’ Transportation Advisory Committee. During the pandemic, Charlie found a new role as a music educator through Roots of American Music, teaching songwriting workshops with the Stop the Hate- Sing out program, guiding 10 classes into the finals with two overall wins and three runner up awards. Grants were awarded to the classes. He also teaches elementary classes in a program called Blues is the Backbone, a history of American music. In addition to current civic and non-profit work, performs for festivals, house concerts, farmers markets, and various venues throughout the United States. He is looking forward to returning to a touring schedule. A railroad enthusiast, Charlie builds his tours around rail routes.

Folk Alliance International - Board of Directors 2024- 2027 Current Term President of Folknet 2014- 2014 Current Term President of Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM) 2020-2023 Member RAMPD Music to Life FAI Cultural Equity Council Career Highlights Woody Guthrie Folk Festival songwriting contest 2nd place 2019  Just Plain Folks Music Awards - Best traditional album - Something to Believe 2nd Place 2020 Cleveland Scene Magazine readers poll winner  "Best singer/songwriter" 2011 FARMette Official Showcase Artist 2015 FARM  FolkDJ Showcase artist 2014 Folkradio.org Top 70 (55) Most played Folk Album February 2015 Standing O Project: Featured Artist of the Week Oct 15-21 2018 Folkalley.com: Feature Artist of the month November 2013 WFMT's The Midnight Special: CD of the Week May 25 2013 Featured CD of the month Stings and Beyond December 2013 No Depression: Featured Song (Up Among the Stars) 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum: Chosen by Robert Santelli to perform at the during the American Masters series, Hard Travelin' The Life and Legacy of Woody Guthrie. 1996 Performed with: CSN, Livingston Taylor, Jewel, Iris Dement, David Bromberg, Suzzy and Lucy Wainwright Roche,  Richard Shindell, David Wilcox, Chris Whitley, Jefferson Starship, Joe Crookston, Matt Watroba, Madison Violet, Danny Schmidt, Dan Weber, The Samples, Dan Bern, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Darrell Scott, Jason White, Magpie, Neil Jacobs, Alex Bevan, and many others. Film Credits: Feed My Soul - Growthbusters, Walk Tonight - The Discussion