By Tyler Wright
From humble beginnings in regional Victoria to forging a music career in downtown Chicago, Illinois, songwriter and guitarist Michael Charles’ journey has been rooted in Blues.
Charles was born in the small town of Tatura, 20 kilometres south-west of Shepparton.
At five years old, his family made the move to Coburg in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, where Charles’ dads’ guitar playing sparked the youngster’s interest in performing.
Charles performed his first gig on stage at seven years old.
“I did my first television appearance when I was 15 or 16, and it rolled from there,” he said.
To celebrate his 40th anniversary in 2024, Charles will return to Melbourne next year to perform at the Red to Blues Sessions at the Emerald RSL on Friday 23 February.
“Before the pandemic, I was in Australia and I got invited to play at that same venue; it was a complete sell out; It was just an amazing night,” he said.
“When they heard I was coming out again, they invited me to play.”
In 1989, in his early 30s, Charles received an invitation from the management of legendary Blues guitarist Mr Buddy Guy to appear at the Buddy Guy’s Legends club in Chicago.
After travelling the 12,500-mile trek, and performing with Mr Guy, Junior Wells, James Cotton, Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater and other Blues greats in Chicago, Charles returned to Australia.
“That was probably the highlight of my career, because any invitation from a legend like Buddy Guy – it’s an offer you can’t refuse,” Charles said.
“When I came to the States and started playing with some of the greatest blues players recognised all over the world, I had those opportunities to play with some of the best.
“It educated me what Blues music really is and then you start playing it the way it should be played.”
Charles’ return to Australia only lasted a span of days, re-boarding the plane with the intention to grow his career in the States.
The moved paid off, as Charles teamed up with another Blues guitarist, Jimmy Dawkins, aka “Fast Fingers;” touring the USA for two years.
“When I first came to Chicago, they picked me up and took me to downtown Chicago and for some strange reason I felt like I was at home, and I’ve been at home ever since,” Charles said.
“[I felt] like I should have been born here.
“It became home – I’m an American citizen now – you just don’t know where life takes you and for me, it’s like ‘go with the flow, if something’s working out just continue doing it’.”
In 2015, Charles was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame; a nod to his career and catalogue of 40 releases.
“That was a big one for me; because that was something that came out of the left field; I never would have expected to be in the Hall of Fame,” the Grammy-elected artist said.
“It makes me work harder – I think if you achieve certain things, you better be ready to live up to it; and if you can’t live up to it, you don’t deserve getting it.”
As part of his anniversary tour, Charles is also set to perform at the Westernport Hotel in San Remo, and Bird’s Basement in the Melbourne CBD, with the possibility of a fourth show being announced.
“People that buy my records and listen to my music say ‘you’re a little bit more than just a Blues player; your genre varies so much,’ and the reason being is that I love all sorts of music,” he said.
“Being a songwriter, you get creative and you experiment with a lot of different music.”
For Charles, being asked back to the Emerald RSL is a nice “pat on the back”.
“My attitude is to go there and give it my 200 per cent and please the audiences,” he said.
At his last gig in Emerald, Charles even saw the iconic Puffing Billy locomotive travelling through the town; bringing back memories of his childhood.
“I [hadn’t] heard about the Puffing Billy since I was a kid but I finally got to see it,” he said.
“You should never forget your humble beginnings.”
In the meantime, Charles will be working on a new album from his Chicago studio; touring the US, Canada and Australia constantly.
“I am always doing something,” he said.
Charles’ performance will take place at 3 Memorial Drive in Emerald, with an entry fee of $25 for attendees, and $20 for 3MDR and RSL members.
Tickets can be purchased on trybooking.com by searching for the event date and location.
You can listen to Charles’ music on Spotify and iTunes.
