Lightnin' Charlie
A lifetime of playing
An Endless Love Affair
with Music, with People,
and with the Joy of Spreading Joy...
Lightnin’ Charlie is a recording artist, author, and entertainer extraordinaire, delivering a cheerful earful of soul-stirring roots music. Describing LC’s mighty mix of music in a few words is impossible…but when Charlie is asked what kind of music he plays, he says simply, “Good Music for Good People!” But here’s what others say:
“Lightnin’ Charlie doesn’t sound ‘good’…..he sounds GREAT!” – Ricky Scaggs
“There’s only two kinds of people in the world: those who love Lightnin’ Charlie, and those who haven’t had the good fortune to hear him yet!” – rlrouse.com
“Shines as bright and bold as autumn colors!” – Bristol Herald
“Sheer magnificence! Polished with creative soul, rock, and harmony, Lightnin’s boppin’ tunes could bring joy to watching paint dry!” – News & Neighbor
“If Lightnin’ Charlie don’t get your party goin’…call it a wake!” – amazon.com
Lightnin’ Charlie’s style, ranges from blues to soul, folk to country, and gospel to rock ‘n’ roll. His music is in constant rotation on radio stations all over the world, including Sirius/XM satellite radio (Bluesville). Rave reviews follow Charlie everywhere, and his stage show—whether solo or duo (alongside his beautiful wife Beth), unplugged or with the band—has become the stuff of legend. Dig the buzz, cuz…
“Powerful, polished, fresh, and original. Vibrant remakes and superb originals!” – Loafer Magazine
“Lightnin’ Charlie plays the blues like the masters!” – Johnson City Press
Lightnin’ Charlie’s newest release ‘Songbook’ (2019 Blue Chip Records) is his love letter to his fans and his heartfelt homage to his earliest musical heroes. Fearlessly covering artists as diverse as Roy Orbison, Elvis, Glen Campbell, Buddy Holly, The Everly Brothers, The Beatles, James Taylor, Gene Autry, and Tennessee Ernie Ford and others, Lightnin’ Charlie’s ‘Songbook’ is a magical history tour and a wonderful collection of great songs and artists. ‘Songbook’ gives us a glimpse and an insight into what influenced and shaped Lightnin’ Charlie’s musical direction from his youth, and is a marvelous, eclectic album, guaranteed to put a grin on your chin.
“I am blown away… Lightnin’ Charlie puts his heart and soul into every track, and this is truly a collection of ‘Lightnin’ Charlie’, rather than a collection of covers. ‘Songbook’ is masterful in so many ways, and is now one of my very favorite albums…period!” – Phil Leonard (Montclair Studios, WETS-FM)
Lightnin’ Charlie’s wild and wooly autobiography, Off The Record – The Trials and Tribulations of a Travelin’ Troubadour, is now in its 2nd Edition and is available worldwide in print and in e-book.
“World-renowned singer, songwriter, and musician Lightnin’ Charlie’s insanely funny and poignant memoir is a collection of side-splitting stories and amazing anecdotes from his experiences as a full-time, touring musician, reformed saloon singer, and ultimately is his testimony as a born-again Christian, who has seen—and lived—the dark side. You’ll laugh till you cry at these hysterical, tall and true tales of madness, lunacy, comedy, and truth.” – amazon.com
LC’s tour-de-force roots record ‘A New Leaf’ (2005) continues to inspire and enjoy rotation on radio stations worldwide, including Sirius/XM’s satellite Bluesville.
“Lightnin’ Charlie plays rock ‘n’ roll and soulful blues just the way I like it! Can’t wait for his next CD!” – Le Cri Du Coyote (France)
LC’s 2016 gospel blues masterpiece ‘Covenant’ is still busy raising sand all over the world. Rootstime in Belgium calls ‘Covenant’ a “magnificent, multi-faceted record!”, and goes on to say:
“A gloriously eclectic, rich roots music record, which covers just about all genres associated with that description. Whether you’re a believer or not, Lightnin’ Charlie’s clever songwriting, soulful singing, and fervent but tasteful guitar-playing on Covenant is guaranteed to raise the hairs on the back of your neck! If Lightnin’ Charlie’s Covenant doesn’t raise your temperature, quicken your heartbeat, and get your hands clapping, then you are in urgent need of a doctor!!!” – Rootstime (Belgium)
Voted “Favorite Musician in the Mountain South” for several years in a row, LC is an award-winning musician and songwriter, is featured on many national television music showcases and documentaries, and has amassed legions of faithful fans from all over the world, affectionately known as Lightnin’ Bugs.
“A unique combination of gutsy vocals, smokin’ guitar, and high-energy showmanship. An exceptional guitarist and showman, Lightnin’ Charlie is simply amazing!” – Carolina Blues Fest Newsletter
Lightnin’ Charlie’s long-awaited new album ‘LIFE’ on Blue Chip Records!
Recorded in the US and Canada on the historic holy grail gear from the studio that produced more hit records than any other studio in the world, Bill Putnam’s fabled United Western Studios in Hollywood, Lightnin’ Charlie’s new album “LIFE” is a transcendent, tour-de-force album loaded with soul, swagger, and style. Four years in the making, LIFE’s cheerful earful of great songs, top flight musicians, and stellar performances prove to be well worth the wait.
Give yourself—or someone you love—the gift of LIFE! Coming in April 2024!
The love affair continues . . .
Music is a moral law.
It gives soul to the universe,
wings to the mind, flight to the imagination,
and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.
Lightnin's message to fans . . .
I wanted to say thanks to my family of fans, my Lightnin’ Bugs, for your continued, steadfast love and support. Thanks for riding along with me. It’s been a long and winding road we’ve ridden together. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share all this glorious music with you. Thank you for always having my back, for buying my records, and for faithfully coming out to the shows (I’d look pretty silly up there without you!).
As we move forward through our Good Music for Good People Tour ‘24, continuing to fight the good fight together, I hope that the music we make together this year will be a joy and a blessing to you, as you are to me.
