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Charles Wilson
The Crown Prince of Soul
Although not the most familiar name in some Blues circles
Charles Wilson enjoys a large and faithful fan base through-out the Deep South. Charles Wilson is easily one of the most exciting young talents to emerge from the Southern Blues circuit. Offering up performances that bridge Soul-Blues to today's Neo Soul. Charles was born in Chicago in January 1957. His parents brought the love of both Blues and Gospel music into they're home. At an early age Charles' mother had him singing in church. Every one of the children in his family sang and played an instrument. Charles' father who is also Little Milton's bother introduced him to the Blues and Soul. As young as four Charles and his father would go Chicago's legendary Regal Theater to see Uncle Milton's local shows. Often these shows had multiple acts on the bill and Charles got to watch artists like Howlin Wolf, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Junior Wells, and B.B. King. He would sit at the edge of the stage studying the entertainers. He often recalls standing behind the stage watching Little Stevie Wonder who had just release "Fingertips" playing and being totally amazed. He watched Sam Cooke move the audience of the Regal with "A Change Is Gonna Come" which became Charles' favorite song. It didn't take too long for him to figure out what he wanted to do with his life. By nine he was singing on stage and at 14 years old he hit the road with Bobby Rush. Opening shows and learning how to survive in the entertainment world. He still went to school and still went to church with is parents on Sunday mostly to avoid a "good ass whoopin" as he puts it. His parents were strict but also encouraging as well. After graduating High School, Charles went on to College to major in music. He studied under James "Maestro" Mack who was already Tyrone Davis' arranger. He tried to convince Charles to stay in school, but he had other ideas. In 1978 Charles made his first recording "I Need a Love I Can See in the Daylight" on Sky Hero Records produced by Sim Tech Simmons of Sim Tech and Wally. The road and the record business called to him. Charles spent the next couple of years working in the Chicago areas club scene and opening for an impressive list of headliners like Koko Taylor, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, and the late great ZZ Hill. In 1984 Charles landed his first record deal on Alley Cat Records. The release "Trying To Make A Wrong Thing Right" provided Charles with some moderate success. He was now able to play dates outside the immediate area. In 1986 he followed it with another successful release "You Cut Off My Love Supply " also on Alley Cat. In 1990 Charles got a big brake and was signed by John Abbey to Ichiban Records and recorded "Blues in the Key of C'. John put together Charles' first foreign tours and propelled his career far beyond the Chicago area. In 1995 Charles recorded "Sweet on the Backstreet" for Ecko Records on a one record deal. In 1997 he recorded for James Bennett at Traction Records but it didn't seem to click. However, his Ecko release found new life. He was asked by John Ward to Record four more albums for Ecko "Love Seat" (which became one of his largest selling CDs),"It Ain't the Size", "Mr. Freak", and his most recent on Ecko in 2001 "Goin Jukin". Seeking greater independence and control over his own destiny, Charles has joined the label business himself recently starting Wilson Records. He has relocated to Greenville, Mississippi to launch his latest endeavor. Charles will not only be producing himself but has also signed several other artists as well. In 2001 Charles Wilson released the first project on his own label "Songs From The Vault". In mid 2002 he followed it with "You Got to Pay to Play". The cuts "Show Me What Your Working Wit" and "The Same Door" off this disc have received considerable airplay in the Southeastern United States. Charles is currently working on material for an upcoming CD, touring, and helping to develop other artist signed to the label. Charles knows this business from the ground up and the Wilson Label continues to grow. But most importantly Charles continues to grow as an artist himself. He is considered by some to be among the best tenors in Soul. One listen and you'll know why he is "The Crown Prince of Soul". |
