I'll Be Back

Hi gang, I know that everyone has been wondering where I am and where I've been.
All I can tell you is that I've been sick and that I had to take this time off for now. I am getting better though, slowly but surely.
For the rest of the year I will be in hiatus, but starting in January I will be returning to you...
For now please enjoy the rest of '08, and I'll be back in '09.
I've got loads of things to share with you, new stories, new experiences,and new dreams.
So...stay tuned.
Until then...

Support Live music today tomorrow and always...

Finding Me Again

If I've learned nothing else in life, I've learned that it is vastly important to find out who you are.

As an artist, as a soul, and and as a human being, knowing the person inside of you is necessary to help the person on the outside of you function in your chosen way of life.

It can be something small and miniscule, or it can be large and grandiose, but labor hard and long to find that entity that is you.
I know that most of you who read me have been wondering where I've been. All I can say to that is that I've missed you as much as you've missed me, and although I've been around, I haven't been able to find me for a little while.
My health has been pretty good, but my mental health has been a bit shaky of late. It's been a combination of a few things. Mostly missing my parents and my sister (they're deseceased, for those of you that didn't know...). My younger sister is in the US Navy, and right now, she's stationed in Japan, and I worry constantly about her (although she is doing quite well in fact...)
The crux of my troubles have been that I've been feeling rather insignificant as a musician, and couldn't seem to find my groove.
The last 4 months or so, I've been showing up to play, but my soul wasn't along for the ride. I actually felt that maybe my time was up as a musician, and that it was time to put away my mic, and my sax for good.
On Friday I had a gig with one of my dearest friends, bluesman Terry Lowry, and I just agonized about my playing, and although most in attendance said to my face, how great I sounded, it was as if I didn't hear a sound...from me, or them.
Last night I had a gig with the Carpenter Ants, and I intitially thought that I would be an absolute flop, but a little, subtle change made all the difference... I CHANGED REEDS !!!

Charlie Tee, what in the world are you talking about?
For the last 5 months, I've used the same reed on my saxophone, and the truth is, that it died ages ago, and I should have realized right away that the reason that I wasn't getting my sound was that I should have broken out a new reed awhile ago. Instead, I've felt terribly about myself thinking erroneously that I've lost my ability to play.
Another thing is that I have trouble relaxing and going with the flow. If you know baseball at all, you can relate... I was in a slump.
Your mind can play terrible tricks on you if you're not careful, it can cause you see things that aren' t there. I'm not especially good at sitting around and waiting to play. I feel as though I lose my edge to entertain when I have to sit around and wait. I prefer to be as spontaneous as possible when I have to perform, the less sleep, or waiting that I have causes me to think
inside and outside of the box, and I've always felt that that has made me the person I am as an entertainer, I seem to think better on my feet when I go in seemingly without rest, and just able to come off the cuff.
If you're following this sequence so far, I'm sure that you're laughing at me out loud. I get so silly with this, that at times I feel as though I could run and hide from everyone, and I actually cower away from folks.
I know that this is in fact crazy, but hey, that's me and how I operate...warts and all.
Sometimes finding me again takes some work, but at least I'm honest about it, and I hope that when you or "Stella" need to find your groove again, its something as simple as making a needed change within yourself. You'll be much happier that you did.
See ya soon.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always. Let it help you find your essence.

Great Minds

I ran into an ex- in law early this morning, and was quite suprised to see that he had fallen on some fairly hard times. His health has become very poor in fact.
While I had the strong urge to rub in his face how he used to treat me, I decided that it would be more civil of me to leave things as they are, and also offer him my help to his vehicle after our respective appointments.
During the days when we were relatives, quite often I had heard how much he bad-mouthed me behind my back (...and at some point, even to my face). Although this angered me often, I told those who would tell me these things that I would be bigger than that, and not stoop to his level by countering his attacks.
Often I would say that "I'll let God take care of it," and he would get his one day. "
It was quite sad, I never measured up to him or his family, and even though he never once sat down and talked to me to determine the type of person I am, he judged me anyway.
A phrase came to my mind when I saw him today: Life is designed to teach you what you should have learned in life.
You see, I could have easily let him get me down all those years ago,yet, I kept my head held high, I continued playing music ( I now have 4 CD's to my credit) I still have a wonderful job (in which I'm a supervisor...), I'm married 10 years (...and counting) I still have the love and respect of my true friends (counting there too !!!), and most of all, I'm still keeping my eyes on the prize.
Now I look at him and realize that I can sleep at night because I'm not haunted by how viciously I've treated people.
More importantly I have come to truly realize that great minds have aims,while little minds have wishes.
None the less I wish him good health.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

The Sum of My Parts

Every musician has people who they look up to for inspiration (devine, or otherwise), that gives their music some substance with which to build a career (my gosh that was a mouthful...).
Most folks who know me know that among mine are people like saxophonist David Sanborn, and the late Michael Brecker (Tenor saxophone).
I want to talk about some of my other influences, because it's important that you understand the core and soul of my music. Moreover, the thoughts that I put together when I sing, or play my own saxophone is a direct result of the influences that these people have in my life.
Vonda Shepard is a vocalist, pianist and writer of some incredible music. When she sings, it give me chills. The way that she uses her voice just excites me like Christmas, and my birthday all in one.
Patrice Rushen is another, and a forerunner to people like Vonda who grooves so hard that you'd be considered dead if you didn't get moved by her music.
The late great Richard Tee was a brilliant session musician and arranger who graced countless recordings, and he to me was the Fender Rhodes "Jedi Master."
These are just a scant few of the folks who have made the music in me come alive, and I speak about them because more often than not everyone needs inspiration.
Having something to aspire to is always a good thing because it keeps you focused, and more inportantly, it keeps you in check.
I remember the very first time that I met Richard Tee in person was on the subway in Manhattan. I spotted him on Columbus Circle and 66th street. I just walked up to him and told him how much I admired his playing. I just happened to have my sax with me that day (lucky me...), and he was so nice in fact that he invited me to hear him do a commercial that he was on his way to do.
At the studio, we talked for awhile while the engineers were setting up, and I told him that I was going to Manhattan School of Music, and he thought that that was a great idea. He said that "back in the day alot of folks thought that only the stuffed shirts went to music schools, you either got educated on the bandstand or you listened in the audience, and truly many "brothers" never saw the inside of a school let alone one for music." None the less that feeling started to change when people like Wynton (Marsalis) came along. Now we realize how useful schools really are for us.
In truth though, I still feel that the sum of my parts have equalled out because I've been educated in 2 realms; Manhattan School of Music and also "Bandstand University," and my professors have really given me that benefit of the finest education.
I hope that I continue to make them proud.
Life offers many opportunities to further oneself in every field, take advantage of possibilities whenever you can, and make the sum of your parts equal one great person...you.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

Caroleigh, Jill and Lauren, the rhythm of my Sisters

Caroleigh Cheryl- January 25th
Janus Ingrid- January 11th
Lauren Patrice- March 30th

Those are dates that are forever etched on my mind because those are the days that the rhythm of my life always beats strongest...with love.
My 3 Sisters have made my life worthwhile, let me tell you about how they each have affected my life and my music.
Caroleigh (pronounced,carol-lay)
My oldest Sister, was a gifted musician and singer, she played the flute and the violin, and she had a voice like an angel. Caroleigh loved all types of music, but 50's rock and roll just moved her to no end. James Brown and Jackie Wilson would just send her into orbit. Years later when Motown emerged as a force in music she was a fanatic for the Temptations.
They did a song called "Don't Look Back," and Caroleigh would be the female backup singer to Paul Williams vocal...it still moves me to tears when I hear, because it makes me think about my Sis.
Jill the other older Sister is also a gifted pianist, and just a brilliant woman who has always been ahead of her time. She was the first person to graduate from Columbia University with a degree in African American studies. Also, she is the founder and CEO of Backpax, a company which teaches cultural diversity to youngters.
Lauren, the youngest of us is also a musician, she played the clarinet. In High school she was in the concert orchestra and the jazz band, and was first chair in both.
She has now made a career in the United States Navy, recently deployed to Bahrain (north of Saudi Arabia), where she just became a Chief Petty Officer.
My 3 Sisters are among the most beautiful woman that I've ever known, but our lives have taken us to many different stations in life, and it has taken losing one of them to make me realize just how much they all have meant to me.
If you ever listen to a really good drummer, you realize right away that they capture alot of different rhythms at once, yet drummers are the foundation upon which great music is made. All of the beats that they create add to or blend the other instruments and vocals together into a harmony that can move the even the steadfast of folks, so it is with my Sisters.
Their lives are entertwined with mine and it has made me a better person. Each of what they have given me in love has shaped my life in ways that is just like listening to music.
I love songs, singing them, as well as playing them, because the textures that they create with words offer you a glimpse into the soul of the writer.
Musicians bring about the effect of the songs, but the the writer created it to set a mood. So it is with my Sisters, when we talk it's really uplifting and passionate. Sometimes, even without alot of words being expressed, they set a tone for me that reaches deep inside of me.
When I was little, I used to watch Caroleigh play the flute for hours at a time, ask a million questions, and be generally in awe of her. When I'd listen to Jill (Janus's nickname), she just epitomized grace and charm...she still does.
When I went to see Lauren in concert in her senior year in school. I was awestruck by how much I didn't know about music, she did some things on the clarinet that I'm still trying to figure out with my saxophone.
The point here is that within the rhythm of my sisters beats a strength that gives me strength, it's also given me the clarity to be a good musician, and vocalist. They've taught me to take chances with my music, set it free, but tame it all at once.
In short, the love they've given me, I've passed it forward to my audience, and if you play music that's how you should operate too.

This post is dedicated to eveyone who has the pleasure of having a lovingly family,who supports, and believes in them.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

Remembering Winston Walls

There aren't too many people that I can honestly say are larger than life, but Winston was truly among those that I could. He is up there with my Parents.
It's with a sad heart that I must relay that the great Winston Walls has left our lives. I'm told that he passed away in his sleep at his home in Florida with his wife Lucille at his side.

Winston for most of the musicians in the Kanawha valley was like our Dad. He was tough, but ever encouraging. He could make you feel your music like no one else, he just had that thing in him that set him apart from everyone else.
I can still remember vividly the day that I met him back in 1971, he just moved my soul with his playing. He was confident and he knew how to GRAB your attention. When he played that Hammond B3, he could not only bend his notes, he could break them like twigs, or make them and you, stand at attention.
He has shown me and my bandmates in the Carpenter Ants how to capture an audience, with real musicianship and not with gimmicks.
Once when we were recording our 2nd CD "Picnic With Lord," he cleared up a discrepency with us that completely changed our direction. His help with our CD became invaluable for me especially, because he made sing from my soul.
There will never be another like "Dad" for me, but I can say with distinction that we are all his sons and daughters, and in his memory we will raise West Virginia music to new heights.Winston, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you taught me. I will never forget you. Heaven will really rock now!! Rest in peace.

Be certain to pick up his CD "Boss of the B3," which features another great, his best friend Brother Jack Mc Duff, where ever you find great music. Also Winston is our special guest the Carpenter Ants CD "Picnic With the Lord."



Good night Brother
Winston Walls 2008.

Just Say No

It's embarrassing for me to tell you this, but I got my head handed to me the other evening, and rightfully so, I was just plain wrong about my actions, and I deserved to be reprimanded.
The scene: Friday night at the former Blues BBQ Restaurant and nightclub. The event, a combination of 2 birthday celebrations. Mine and a good friend. Also, the Carpenter Ants were performing.
Prior to starting we had to wait and start playing a little bit later than usual because Michael Lipton (fearless leader...) had a prior performance with the Mountain Stage Band.
Anyway, I was sitting with my friends, and there was a gentleman seated at the table near ours, and he was not your average looking fella (now putting it nicely...), sort of non-descript, but he also had on some very thick glasses.
Now, I should have known better, but one of my friends started to comment among us about the gentleman, and we in turn started laughing uncontrollably, to the point that I'm certain that it must have made this guy seriously uncomfortable. Well, he ups and leaves and never returned. The sad part about it is that I know he was there exclusively to see the band, and here we were making fun.
It didn't matter that it wasn't to his face, but I know he must have sensed it.
My dear friend Amy, who planned this party down to the letter, was greatly insensed. She held back her comments that evening and thereby not spoiling my day, but in true fact, she have every right to. When she called me the next night, she was still angry, and after she read me the riot act, I felt 2 inches tall...She was as right as right could be. HOW FREAKIN' DARE US. What in the Hell makes us God's gift.
I of all people should have known how hurtful that must have been, because I'm overweight, and have been teased one way or another about it all of my life, and although I've developed thicker skin about it, it still hurts none the less when people are so blatant about pointing it out.
Thank God Amy had the presence of mind to just say no. She and many other people have gone out of their way to help not only me, but my band as well to further ourselves in the public eyes, and doing the things that we did Friday causes that wall to be built higher...and believe me, that ain't good.
I want to say publicly that I'm deeply sorry for offending that young man, intended, or not.
I also want to say thank you to Amy for being a true friend, and pointing out my shortcomings, she is the kind of people that everyone needs in their life...SOMEONE REAL.



Just say no to abuse of any kind, but support live music today tomorrow and always.

Harlem and The Bronx (the making of Charlie Tee) #6

In this post I'm going to tell you about a phrase that my Mother used to say to me throughout my life, and why it's still relevant to me today.

"Every cloud has a silver lining..."
If I heard that one hundred times, I heard it once. My Mother was always fond of telling my Sister and I that because she wanted us to know that when you least expect it a dark cloud can become bright and fluffy, and full of life giving light.
Every now and again in my quest to be in the music industry full time, I get sidetracked by my negative emotions. In reality I know that the Carpenter Ants are doing just fine, we play alot through the year, and we've existed for over 20 years ( the fellas have been together for that long; I've been with them going on 17 years...), but I just dream so big sometimes that it gets the better of me.
In truth, although I would give almost anything to be on a greater stage, it's really unrealistic. By this I mean that at least 2 of my bandmates, although very talented, have day jobs in which they've served for going on 28, and 29 years respectively. So asking them to up and leave without gaining their pensions would absolutely not be fair of me. It's like asking them to walk out on a building ledge and just dangle off the side.
If I needed to be rescued that might be one thing, some consideration might be in order, but this is asking too much...even for me.
They have families and significant others that they must attend to, and so do I for that matter. So I sit to myself and muse about where I'd be if I were younger and single
Now here's where that phrase comes roaring into my head and into my life: with the exeption of me being really sick over the course of the Summer, we've played more than most bands that I know of, here and in New York.
While I gripe about what could be, I have to realize what is...this music may be a young person's game but I'm in it as well, I've gained some notariety, I have 4 CD's on the market, and more than anything, I have 3 of the best friends that I've ever had...all of this without a lawyer too.
I thank Allah (God) everyday for Michael, Ted and Jupiter, and our music, and the patience that they've taught me.
See..., now I'm looking up and the sky is beautiful...and the sky's the limit.
The black has turned to silver.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

Patron's Etiquette

Back in August of 2006, I wrote a piece called "Musician's Etiquette." It mainly talked about the way that musicians should treat other musicians when they're on stage performing.
This is the mirror to that post, in that now I'm talking about the folks who come to listen to music.
Let me say at the onset that I have had my days of falling down in inebriation, I've had my days of being boisterous, I've even had those days when I should probably have kept my mouth shut.But never, never have I ever gone to a gig, mine or anyone else's and been so disruptive that I've been asked to leave.
Here now is the patron's etiquette...
Let's start by understanding what it takes for musicians to do a show.
Most musicians not in the music industry have day jobs. They labor through the day to pay bills, have health insurance, and to simply put food on a table.
The pursuit of music may be a passion. For many of us, it's what we live for. None the less, we get off at 5pm (mostly), grab a bite to eat, then out the door we go to chase that passion.
Some of us first rehearse, then hit the stage, and do our level best to help you forget the day that you've had, and let's face it many of you have had a rough day at best.
Now the musician's are poised to entertain, and from out of nowhere comes some loud (make that screeching...) voice hollering "keep your day job," "you suck," or any number of other insults.
Now imagine trying to do a show with that in your ear...I'm not talking about just being heckled here. A fair amount of heckling is necessary, it does believe it or not, help musicians to grow. They begin to learn audiences, and how to treat them.
I'm talking about people who get so wrapped up in making you look bad that it makes everyone uncomfortable.
People, it's time that you realize that most musicians do want your money, but not at the expense of losing the other potential dollar. What do I mean by that? Some patrons get so frightened by the disruptive people that even if they thoroughly enjoyed the music, they quite frankly won't return.
So who loses out here? EVERYONE. The musician loses because they've now lost a valuble asset, an audience. The audience loses because they get stuck at home only being able to listen to recorded music. That trade off isn't necessarily a good one.

The point here is that people need to realize that alot goes into creating a vibe that helps you to feel good. Music is one of the best ways to make that come about.
So don't let your horrible day get the better of everyone, use the music to help heal the bad part of your day.
Look at it this way, if you don't go to your office and scream at your boss to play Freebird, then it's a safe bet to know that your local musicians don't need that headache either.
Just some patron's etiquette, but the bottom line is, just go and enjoy.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

Home Again

Well, I've finally made it back to my computer, my blog , my music, and to you.
First off before I begin, I have to seriously thank all of you who e-mailed, or called during my time away; and that is virtually hundreds of you.
I got so many forms of expression of well wishes that it would take another blog to say thank you alone.
With that aside, let this post be the beginning of my thank you's .
Just in case you had no idea what was going on during my time away, let me refresh your memory.
Back in July, my kidneys began to fail, and my body began to fail with it. To say the least, it was mortifying to me and to my family. My music suffered, my work suffered, and I suffered. During that time though I got back in touch with me, and although I missed alot of gigs, I felt it was necessary so I put everything on hold.
We all know that Allah (God) perfoms miracles, and I found mine, it was in the form of my medical team, my wife, my children, and my family, my family of friends.
I'm not all the way out the woods just yet, but I'm getting there...and I will get there.
I got an interesting letter from a fan of this blog. They asked if I were still interested in telling my story about journeying in to the music industry? My answer: HELL YES!!!
You have to remember that in order to tell one's story, you need to have all of your thoughts aligned, your ducks in a row as it were.
My thoughts are always at the ready to share, but I just had to feel better first, so on that note I'll say that I'm home again, just look for me.

This post is dedicated to everyone who cared enough about me to be concerned ( you know who you are).
Even when you're home again, Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

A Change is Gonna Come

Just a quick note to tell you about some changes for the Carpenter Ants, with regard to our main Myspace page...
Until recently, that chore had been handled by our own Kathy Clark who is based in Winston Salem NC. Kathy had worked for us tirelessly, until she became unable to continue due to her own work restraints. So she had to move on from the nest.
In her place, we've decided to go with Amy Bowe who heads up our fan based Myspace page under www.myspace.com/carpenterantsfan.
Look for Amy to take it to the next level for us.
I'm told that she will begin to incorporate our shows with the myspace pages, so that those of you who look for us on the web can easily find us along with our main website http://www.carpenterants.wvmusichalloffame.com/, as well as right here in Standing In The Shadows Of Music.
First and foremost I want to say thank you very much to Kathy Clark, the work that you've done for us over the past year was exemplary. Thank you for getting us to the consciousness of the great folks in North Carolina. Well will miss you more than you know.
Next, I want to thank Amy for taking the ball and helping us to continue on our path.
When I'm given the signal, I will write in detail how you can catch the Carpenter Ants today tomorrow and always.
For now you can still check us out via www.myspace.com/carpenterants
Until then...
Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

Remembering Beverly Sills

"You can take the girl outta Brooklyn, but you can't take Brooklyn outta the girl..."
Those words that she said so many years ago still stick with me on a daily basis.and I have found that to be absolutely true.
I remember vividly the first time I saw her. It was at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and it was The Siege of Corinth at La Scala in 1975, and it moved my soul.
Miss Sills though would come to make me love Opera in different way though, she did it by being just a cool girl from Brooklyn and not some stuffy, stuck up died in the wool snob.
Opera, and classical music in general was losing favor in young people during the 70's because so many if it's artists quite frankly thought that they were better than us. Many of the musicians thumbed their noses at regular people, and in many of us who may have aspired to that life simply turned in another direction.
During those days, you had to wear a tuxedo, or a good suit to see the Opera, and so many if us just couldn't afford to even though we loved the music, and the pagentry. It was just beautiful music and we were turned away at the door.
All of that changed when a girl from the hood stood up and showed us the entrance, and taught us how to enjoy her style of music.
Beverly made it fashionable to see the Opera in any fashion. She bridged the gap between the stuffed stodgy superelative speaking Mink coats and suits. When Miss Sills arrived we began to come as we were; jeans, sneakers, ballcaps.
I had the pleasure to enjoy her performances some 30 times, before she gave it up to become President of the Met, and when she did become its head I went to the Met even more.
I was very sad to learn of her passing because to me she was a true gem...an American gem. She was our Diva, and she was a girl from the hood.

Belle Miriam Silverman ( Beverly Sills ) 1929- 2007
Good night Sister.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

Today,Tomorrow and Always

If you've read my blog for some time now, you know that I normally sign off by telling you to support live music today, tomorrow and always. It's my tag line, but truly there is a deeper meaning to it.


This past Friday I was put in a position to put my money where my mouth is, and I came to realize, that at least in my mind I think that I've failed on some levels. Let me explain...

Earlier in the evening, I left home a bit early, before my gig at Blues BBQ in Charleston to eat. At the restaurant I ran into an old friend who a few months earlier I had noticed was down on his luck, he had become an alcoholic and just generally a nusense to folks. It was pretty disappointing to see. Now, here we are, and I found out not only had he become "saved," he completely cleaned himself up, and was now employed gainfully at the restaurant.

Ike thanked me profusely for not giving up on him, even though I had been disappointed...he "understood." We talked for a long time, and I told him several times how proud I was of him.
I left the restaurant and was pretty much on cloud nine.
Driving down the street, I ran into another good friend, saxophonist Dugan Carter ( one of my musical heroes...), and with him were David Loyd a great keyboardist, Michael " Stoney" Burks, a phenom trumpeter, and Warren Pope, a great drummer, all former bandmates of mine when I was the lead vocalist of their band Stratus.
Without too much prodding they invited me into the Cafe de Paris, where they hold court every Friday during Happy hour as the jazz combo "Full Flavor." It's one of the newer spots in town.
As I was preparing, I noticed that during the entire time that they were playing, no one was paying attention to them at all, but none the less Dugan introduces me, and when he mentioned that I was with the Carpenter Ants, everyone stopped cold and paid close atttention to me, and when I finished a huge applaud came my way. Then the owners of the club, a wonderful Frenchman , and his co-owner Shelly stepped up to not only sing, but do so in French, something that should have been a real treat for these folks was met with continued talking. How utterly embarrasing !!
I've been at my craft of music for far too long and have been treated by club owners and patrons alike with the utmost respect, and those patrons acted as if they were at home on the phone. They talked right over this beautiful music as if it weren't even there.
Of course this got me thinking, what could I do to make the efforts of these musicians and others worthwhile. I'm great for telling everyone thay they need to support live music, but where have I been ? By not going to some of my fellow musicians gigs when I'm off, I'm being just as bad as those people were... I'm not being supportive. So, after scolding that audience, I left for my own gig, but not before I made the vow to Dugan and the boys that I would be back at least once a month to support them, because truthfully, if not for them and the other musicians in my life who have supported me, I would always be standing in the shadows of music.


To my brothers in Full Flavor, I will put my money where my big mouth is and you'll see me in your audience occasionally.
To the owners of Cafe de Paris, continued success, and thank you for supporting live music.
I know this story was a bit long, but truly it needed to be told. The point here is that by supporting live music it will be here for us to enjoy today, tomorrow and always


Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

The Moon, the Stars and the Distant Drum.

Isn't it great when everything is in accordance. When the Sun and the stars line up just right?
Last night was one of those nights when it all fell in place.
The Carpenter Ants did our annual show in Charleston, Live at the Levee. It's a series that the city has to showcase some of Charleston's top bands.
But this night was just a bit different. It seemed, to me at least. that everyone in the crowd was really into us and they were unusually responsive to all that we threw at them.
I saw alot of our old friends in attendance, and it was like homecoming and the Senior prom all rolled up in one.
Normally, the Ants will have fun no matter what, but sometime when we think the audience isn't with us it makes it a little harder to do what we do. My job as frontman of the band is to try to tie the audience to the music, and I do so by a little combination of being in the audinece and working them from the inside. It makes me and them feel really good because we're listening to the music together, only it's me singing to them...you get the picture?
My bandmates always do me proud, they'll work the audience with me, and it becomes one big show that is truly interactive.
Anyway, as I said, everything was lined up just right; as the Sun was setting we hit the folks with some Gospel, teased the ladies with some of our Ditties, rocked the joint with some hard driving grooves, and wowed everyone with some Soul ballads. It all made for a perfect evening of fun, love, and watching Allah (God) create nighttime.
Yeah, I love it when a plan comes together, I love it when this band is together, for me it just makes me feel good to be alive.
I hope wherever you are this Summer you'll make time to catch some live music. Sit back and enjoy the Moon the stars and the distant drum.

A big shout out to the the City of Charleston, thanks for a wonderful evening.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

Life is Sweeter (Wherever You Are)

If you’ve been following my postings, you’ll know that I’m here in my hometown of The Bronx…So far being in New York has proven one thing…that life is sweeter wherever you are. By that I mean I haven’t been home in 7 years, and believe me when I tell you that a helluva lot has changed in my city.
Uncharacteristic of me, I was in Manhattan and had a panic attack. I actually had to move to the side of the street and hang out against a wall.Now I know that this is all due to the fact that I haven’t been here in so long, but really I’m comfortable anywhere I wander, but being around a trillion people at once kinda threw me for just a minute.
Anyway, I really am having a ball, hanging out with my best 2 friends Angela and Stacey…these 2 ladies are a riot together, and Angie and I hope to work on some music as well.
If you remember the TV show Mc Cloud ( with Dennis Weaver) where he was the country Sheriff in New York , well that’s about how I’m feeling now…just out of place.
None the less being home has put a song in my heart, it’s allowing me to re-charge my battery, and when I go back to Charleston I’ll be ready to deal with some serious Carpenter Ants music.I’ve come up with a plan to start moving us forward, and getting us here to New York, And subsequently to the masses.
Now the purpose of this title…I’ve been bitching and moaning about wanting to return home as a big star, but I’ve come to realize that I have some serious work to do, and I need to accept that I live in West Virginia now, and that getting what I want out of life requires me to be happy…no matter where I am.. Why, because life is sweeter…wherever you are

Support Live music today tomorrow and always

Life With Vickie

They say that when one door closes another door opens, and that has been true throughout most of my life. Although in 1998, when door number 3713 opened I got the grand prize.
Let me go back a little to a time before then...
On the dating scene there had been doors closing, one after another, then one day in April of 1993 during a regular Wednesday night gig at the Empty Glass,the door opened and in walked the most beautiful woman I think that I had ever seen.
The band had literally just gone back to the stage after a break, when I announced that we'd be taking another break, and to the amazement of everyone (including my bandmates...) we did. Sorry folks, but I had to meet this woman.
She was brash, bold and utterly beautiful, with the bluest eyes I had ever seen, and flaming red hair...I was a goner.
Her name, Vickie Sutphin.
Now don't ask me why, but I got seriously tongue tied, I went to her table and introduced myself (in my ultra cool suave voice, I might add...). Her girlfriend must have thought I was a lunatic, because she gave me a look that could have melted a glacier.
None the less, I just felt like I had to know this woman... the one time in my life that being bold paid off.
Now let me go back to that door opening and closing analogy...
Fast forward to 1997, some major doors were about to close. First, my Mother got pretty sick with Cancer, and Vickie and I went to New York to be with her to help her prepare for the ultimate journey. Vickie had just come out of the hospital prior to our leaving. When we arrived in New York, my Mother's home was in disarray. As sick as Vickie was at the time, she still put her health aside, and began to organize my Mother's house including getting on her hands and knees and scrubbing her floors. We left New York to return to Charleston, but before leaving my Mother sat me down and said the following: "Charlie, in this woman, you have all that you told me that you ever dreamed of, she's decent, and kind, and she is not afraid. She is one of the boys, but she is all woman in every way. You could never have asked for a better partner. Whatever you do, stand by this woman. Two weeks later my Mother died.
On Saturday April 4th 1998 Vickie became my Wife, and the door of my life swung open for good.
Now I won't tell you that our life together has been all smooth around the edges (let's just say that I was a typical idiot...'nuff said !!), but I will say that I've finally grown up and realized the good fortune that I've had being Vickie's Husband.
In this woman I have the best friend I've ever had, she is someone who I can cry to without feeling less than a man, she is someone who is my biggest cheerleader, and best motivator.
Today is our anniversary, I wanted to tell the world how happy I truly am, and how grateful to the universe I am for opening the door and allowing me to step up to the table and to the best feast of all, life with Vickie.
Happy Anniversary honey, thank you for the the gift of our life.

When you support live music today tomorrow and always, this is the prize that you can get...love times love.

The Secret...no, the real one.

For the last few weeks, all I've heard from virtually everywhere is about the new book "The Secret." It has been a part of our daily vocabulary for weeks now.
Seemingly this buzz started when Oprah Winfrey commented about the book twice on her show, and of course when she talks it up, it becomes a great success.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm very proud of my sister Oprah, but really, haven't we gone just a little over the edge with the need to feel fulfilled, especially when we're told to dream it and we'll attrack it. I do believe that things come our way when we envision them, but I don't need to spend my hard earned cash for that to come about.
Everyone who really knows me (and that's a whole lotta folks...) knows that the only true dream that I've ever had is to play music for a living. Tell me, where did I go wrong. I'm not necessarily any closer to that goal than I've ever been. I'm not complaining though, because I know the real secret.
What is it you ask ? Well, first of all I'm gonna tell you that when I tell you what this secret is you'll kick yourself for not realizing this sooner (although, I think you know already), and I won't be asking for a fee for this disclosure, it comes free of charge solely because I like you.
OK enough BS, the secret, here is the simple formula: P + O = L.
That formula is preparation and opportunity equal luck
How is this the secret? Well if you think about it our whole life is the search for the perfect opportunity to make things better for ourselves. There are some things that inherently come our way when we set our belief toward it.
In truth I am pretty close to getting what I want out of life, but it didn't come because I attracked it, it's coming because I've worked my butt off toward it. I have spent countless hours in pursuit of it. I've met endless people who have helped me even a little bit, and I've never discounted their help. I saw the little amount or great amount as the same...helpful. It made me walk toward it or shy away from it. So the choice has been mine all along.
So the secret, no, the real one, don't stop believing in yourself, use any and all opportunities to further your goals. Don't spend your hard earned money on a book that tells you what you already know. Go to your local library, the place where real dreams are made, the one true place where a poor person and a rich person are on equal footing. Listen to the music , and relax. Not giving into stress will take it away long enough for you to think clearly and realistically about changing your circumstance.
Another way to see this: if you have to rob a bank in order to attend the seminars of the authors of the secret, then the secret is that they won't get you out of jail, nor go your bond, Then the secret would be that you're a fool, and we just can't have that now, can we?

Support live music today tomorrow and always...oh wait! here's another secret, music really does help us and heal us. Listen to it earnestly, and openly, and it will unlock your deepest secret...passion.

My Beloved Bronx

YAAAAAAYYYY !!!! I'm finally getting to go home to my beloved Bronx...
I haven't been home in 7 years, and it is all I can think about. This is such an irony for me, because for so long I felt so out of place in New York. In a city that never sleeps, I felt restless and very useless.
I'm sure to a large degree this was of my own doing, because I didn't always try to find the joy in my being there. Sure I was striving like everyone else, but to me it was a big deal trying to make it in music. With all of the people I know, I never really found my place. I did make lots of friends though, but more often than not those friendships turned out to be more superfical than anything else. My closest friends though did everything to push me forward, and put me into peoples' conciousness. My 3 best friends Abdul Rashid, Charisse Campbell, and Angela Sabarese all gave me the best advice, and a shoulder to cry on whenever I needed it (and they did so without conditions).
Each of them played very different roles from each other in trying to see me through.
Abdul Rashid taught me about sprituality, and the true meaning of letting go and letting God. Charisse taught me the real meaning of friendship, and the purpose of seeing women as women and not little girls.
Angela, was just my musical muse, the female version of me. she taught me about being Bronx tough, and seeing that connection in my music, and using it to set myself above the pack.
Most of the people that I now deal with here in West Virginia see my energy and my drive, and constantly spur me on in the public eye. The Carpenter Ants, Amy Bowe, and Yvonne Brown all have played the exact same role here, as my friends in New York did.
If you're striving in anything, any area of life, music or otherwise, surround yourself with the kind of people that will give you love or swift kick in the pants when you need it.
The lesson that I learned is,that you can not run away from your past, but you need to embrace it as an experience that will help you in your life. It will as they say, make you or break you.
I now see the good fortune in being from the Bronx, and I don't cower away from it anymore. I don't think that I'm better than anyone else, but being from my beloved Bronx has placed me a cut above the rest when it comes to my goals. Hopefully for you, you'll embrace your home, and realize that it's more than just a comfort zone...it's a place to give shape to your dreams.
Badda bing, badda boom, from the Bronx baby to you.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

Happy Birthday

I think that it's a blessing when you're young and beautiful and smart. It's sort of like the triple whammy of good fortune. When you're a pre teenager, and you have all of those characteristics, it shows that your parents have done a great job in raising you.
My next door neighbors the Lloyds are just that type of family. Charles and Tammy are two of the most down to Earth people I think that I have ever met; and they have the triple whammy of having three of the greatest children that Allah (God) could have ever blessed anyone with.
Today is their eldest child Kelci's birhtday, and I wanted to take a minute to acknowledge a sweet young lady who is just great soul.
It seems that in life these days it's hard to find well meaning and respectful kids, but Miss Kelci is just a different breed, she is sweet, loving and kind.
Kelci is the kind of girl that will always do her parents proud, because she genuinely loves them. Don't get me wrong she's also the typical young lady who loves the Mall, and loves her girlfriends, but family is always first for her, and that's what makes her so special.
We could never have asked for a greater gift of friendship than having the Lloyds live next door to us, and Vickie and I both want to say, Miss Kelci have the happiest of birthdays...stay as sweet as you are.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always...and take a minute of everyday to hug a great child, and tell them how precious they are. It will put music in your heart.

Don't Quit

Normally I start off my postings with some semi anecdotal standpoint, but this time I'm going to start where I normally end, by telling you to support live music today tomorrow and always.
I know that its been a few weeks since I posted last, but the truth is I have been just a little busy, on a couple of fronts, and I had to take some time off to get it done. Also, we haven't been doing too much band work, nor have I done much solo work, so as the saying goes...no news is good news.

Anyway, I've been thinking alot lately about what it would be like for me if I gave up playing music, or just retired from it (...this is not to say that it's going to happen). I wondered if I could be happy, and fulfilled, could I go and just be a casual listener.
I also wondered what that reality is like for people who retire after working hard for years and years, why so many of them seem to pass away after just finally getting to do what the want with the rest of their lives, and why so many folks simply work 'til they drop.
Where is the balance in all of this ? Are we afraid to prepare for the end ? Is the end of work, the end of life ?
When I was young(er), I used to look at the world with such fascination, and tried to see my place in it, as a working professional musician. I used ot watch my Godfather practice his saxophone for hours, but never saw him go to a gig. One day I simply asked him why does he do that, spend so much time practicing to go nowhere ? His response was "because I can't quit it." When pressed for the meaning of that statement, he said that the music was in him so deeply that he could not give it up, so even though he was not involved in the business of music any longer, he still felt compelled to make his horn sing, if for no one else but his own pleasure.
The fact that he stayed so diligent about it lead him to be my first formal teacher, and he instilled a love so deeply in me for music that I know that I won't quit it...and believe me I've tried.
There's a poem that I'm certain most of you have heard, but it truly fits here, and you can substitute whatever you're passionate about here...

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, when the road you're trudging seems all up hill, when the funds are low and the debts are high, and you want to smile, but you have to sigh, when care is pressing you down a bit, rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns, as everyone of us sometimes learns, and many a failure turns about when he might have won had he stuck it out; don't give up, though the pace seems slow, you might succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than it seems to a faint and faltering man, often the struggler has given up when he might have captured the victor's cup. And he learned too late, when the night slipped down, how close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out, the silver tint of the clouds of doubt, and you never can tell how close you are, it may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit, it's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.

Indeed, these are words to live by...
I truly admire people who "keep on trying 'til they reach their higher ground (thanks to Stevie Wonder for that line...).
So why then did I begin this post with my tag line ? Because as much as we need air to breathe, we need music to be a source to soothe our savage souls...so, remember that life may throw you into fits, but music can move and shake you , so don't quit.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.