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Charlie Musselwhite

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Charlie "Charley" Musselwhite
(Born January 31, 1944. Charlie Musselwhite will never die)

Charlie was a Mississippi native. He quickly took to Memphis, Tennessee and began avidly playing guitar and harmonica as a child. He lived during a golden period in Memphis history, making friends with and watching firsthand while Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley rode up the wave of smash international success. He wisely took his harp inspiration from three men who would later be regaded as hands down the three greatest Blues harp players to have lived: Little Walter, Big Walter Horton, and Sonny Boy Williamson (II).
Charlie moved in to Chicago's south side in the 1960s, hanging around the famed Maxwell Street and playing his harp for tips in his off time. Quicky, he found himself among the ranks of the greatest Chicago Blues men of the era. He rubbed shoulders and shared stages and bottles with the likes of Howlin' Wolf, Mike Bloomfield, and John Lee Hooker. He played the club circuit extensively and in 1966 signed his first record contract with Vanguard, which fostered the release of his incredibly highly regarded debut album Stand Back! Here Comes Charlie Musselwhite's Southside Blues Band. Charlie cut a few more albums before moving to San Fransisco, recording more critically acclaimed albums and taking a rightful place among the ranks of musical and Blues greats.
Unfortunately, for a spell, Charlie cut several records for other companies that didn't hold near the popularity as his previous cuts. A signing with Alligator Records (Koko Taylor's label) in 1990 changed that tide though. His Alligator time proved to be a smart move, and was noted as a comeback of sorts. But Charlie had never lost that gritty, high energy Blues harp playing that shot him to a well desreved place among Blues greats, and he proved it by releasing Ace of Harps that same year. That album was and continues to be highly regarded as an absolute Blues harp staple. In 2002, he took part in Tribute: Hey Bo Diddley, as a tribute to guess who? Charlie is still sizzling through an exhausting touring schedule and recording his sharp sound. His collaboration with long time frined John Lee Hooker netted him a Grammy nomination, which wouldn't be his last. To date, he's won a staggering 18 W.C. Handy Awards, has been nominated for 6 Grammys, and has taken a place in Mississippi as yet another Blues great from the Delta.

Notable albums by Charlie Musselwhite
Ace of Harps
Stand Back! Here Comes Charley Musselwhite's South Side Band
Tribute: Hey Bo Diddley

Notable Websites on Charlie Musselwhite
www.charliemusselwhite.com