Nick Charles

With dazzling melodic fingerpicking on six and twelve string guitars, stinging bottleneck slide and a lifetime’s stories and songs gathered or written on the world’s musical highways it’s no surprise that Nick Charles has long been labelled internationally as “Australia’s virtuoso of acoustic roots and blues”.

During his extensive and acclaimed career, Nick has released sixteen albums on major Australian and US roots music labels. His recordings have garnered world-wide recognition beginning with “My Place” and now his most recent release “The River Flows”.

This recognition has succeeded in having Nick signed to the Grammy Award winning label, Solid Air Records USA (“Home of the World’s Finest Guitarists”). The only other Australian recognized by the label being Tommy Emmanuel.

He has toured with and supported artists including John Hammond, Guy Clarke, Ralph McTell, Robyn Ford, Junior Wells, Taj Mahal and BB King and toured the US ten times in recent years. Consistently averaging 150 shows a year in Australia, New Zealand and the USA, his music encompasses a delightful and eclectic mix of acoustic roots including blues, folk, country and early ragtime jazz. Along the way there are stylish nods to the “Great American Songbook” and the finest contemporary players and composers from Chet Atkins to Lennon and McCartney to Leo Kottke.

A small sample of recent awards and accolades
“AGE Music Awards - Blues Album of the Year 2016”
“Port Fairy Folk Festival Artist of the Year 2014” (Australia’s highest folk accolade)
“Twice winner of the Australian Song Contest”
“Song of the Year 2013 and 2014” – Australian Blues Awards
“Album of the Year” (MBAS) Multiple times
“Song of the Year” (MBAS) Multiple times
“Solo Performer of the Year” Multiple times

What people are saying about Nick’s music and performances:
“An awesome talent.” - Australian Guitar Magazine
“Plays guitar like an angel.” - Sydney Morning Herald
“A world class musician and composer.” - The Black Rose Acoustic Society, Colorado
“Dazzling guitar, muscular vocals and clever literate song-writing.” - Little Rock AR Folk Society
“Amazingly expressive.” - Herald Sun
“His mastery of country blues is striking!.” - Rhythms Magazine
Latest album “The River Flows.” - four and half stars in The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian newspapers. Reached number 2 on the Australian Public Radio Network.

Significant performances in recent times:
- Port Fairy Folk Festival 2005-2017; Walnut Valley Festival (USA) 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2017
- The Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival 2017
- National Folk Festival 2010, 2008; Fairbridge Folk Festival 2008, 2014; Blue Mountains Music Festival 2015; Wangaratta Jazz Festival 2014; Maldon Folk Festival 2015;Cobargo Folk Festival 2015.
- Lord of the Strings Concert Series, California; 10 US tours since 2003; Edinburgh Festival 1995

Discography:

USA and international releases – Solid Air Records
“The Collection” (SACD 2054)
“Travelling Fingerpicker” (US edition) (SACD 2055)
“Return of the Travelling Fingerpicker” (US edition) (SACD 2096)
“De Lovely Guitar” (SACD 2062)
“Poppin’ Guitars” (SACD 2086)
“Acoustic Guitar Highlights” (SACD 2050)
“Everybody’s Pickin’ on Lieber and Stoller” (SACD 2100)

Australian Releases – Blackmarket Music
“My Place” (BMM 232.2)
“Grace Notes” (BMM 250.2)
“Travelling Fingerpicker” (BMM 276.2)
“New Kind of Feeling” (BMM 306.2)
“Closer to Home” (BMM 328.2)
“Return of the Travelling Fingerpicker” (BMM 353.2)
“Into the Blues”
“All about Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee” (with Doc Span)
“The River Flows”