Born and raised in New Jersey, Chris Charles began his music career as a drummer back in the 60’s, playing in bands in the New York City area. His band, "IT’S US," frequently played at the Bitter End Cafe in Greenwich Village, and released a single in 1966.
Learning guitar along the way, he hit the road in 1971 eventually ending up in Portland, Oregon. There was a thriving acoustic music scene in Portland in those days, and he became an active participant.
In 1980, he met Tim Otto and they began working together as a duo. Their musical styles and voices blended perfectly. In 1983, they recorded the “Heroes Of The West” album just before Tim left for Nashville. By this time, the acoustic music scene had died out, and Chris retreated into the studio, playing guitar, bass and drums on other artists' recordings.
Tim returned a year later and they started making plans for a rock band. This became The Surf Cowboys, one of the most original bands to ever hit the Portland stage. Chris played bass and sang harmony. The band had a 3 year run, and after it broke up in 1986 Chris took a long break from the music business, returning only recently with new solo albums recorded in his own studio.
Lured back by the new technology that allows him to record his music on his own and offer it directly to the listener, he has now released several albums that he calls “Anti-Nashville Country Folk Rock” because it has all those elements. While his albums are often found listed under “Country,” they do not have a Nashville-type sound.
Chris Charles is now currently performing in the Portland area with The Dez Young Trio, an acoustic vocal group.
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