Album Notes

It was the 60's. A bell bottomed, flower powered, psychodelic youth rallied every town and city. Wherever you looked, you would see a guy with long hair and a guitar around his neck. Charlie Klie was one of those guys. Charlie still wears an instrument and that makes him a truly experienced musician. But, Charlie took some turns the other guys missed. In the 70's he had a growing interest in Blue Grass music In 1976 he bought his first banjo and thought he'd arrrived home until mesmerized by a fine mandolin performance. He was drawn by the tight picking and warm metallic tones of the instrument. The next few years found him traveling 2 hours weekly for instruction. In between, he reclusively developed those precision chops that define his presentation. Charlie played with the Blue Grass group Bly Gap for ten years performing at many festivals including the Louisville Festival, the Lexington Festival and the Spirit of the Suwannee. He has performed on the stages of such luminaries as Norman Blake and Bill Monroe. Charlie has not limited himself to Blue Grass. he performed for two years with the Irish band called General Guinness and is featured on their recording, "Traditional Irish Music". Charlie is also featured on the album "Aiming in the Dark" a Neo Classical Progressive Rock project by Bill and Susann Hilt of BOTU. Bill Hilt, producer for the project, has performed nationally with such well knowns as Aretha Franklin, Travis Tritt, Bo Didley and Albert Collins. The two veteran performers have created a distinctive compilation of traditional music. The album is rich in the rhythms and melodies of Celtic, Blue Grass and Jazz orientations. The arrangements are exceptionally complimented by the meticulous playing of Charlie Klie and supporting performances of Bill Hilt, world renowned violinist Arkadiy Gipps and the excellent banjo picking of Craig Wales. These guys should be good! after all, they've had instruments around their necks for 30 years. Their time and passion is heard in every note!