Charlie is a self-taught guitarist and singer from Shingle Hollow, North Carolina. Raised on a 100-acre family farm, his musical roots run deep in Bluegrass tradition. He began performing in a family band at age 15 before moving to Greenville around 1990. Charlie’s influences span a wide musical landscape—from Flatt & Scruggs and New Grass Revival to the Grateful Dead, Darrell Scott, Acoustic Syndicate, and Widespread Panic.

He recently celebrated 50 years of band music, along with 40 years on the bus.

Hickory Flat, his family band had 2 top 10 finishes at SPGMA International Band contest, as well as playing on the festival circuit in the late 80’s.

After moving to Greenville, he hooked up with Gene Dillard at The Handlebar Bluegrass jam and  helped host the jam for several years. He then formed West End String Band, with his wife Kathy and Jim Rollins, which eventually turned to a 5 piece with Matt Purinton and Brian VanAntwerp. They played regionally for around 15 years, losing Jim to a car accident in 2018, a travesty to the band. They were quite  the favorites at local festivals and events.

Presently he and Brian VanAntwerp perform as West End Strings and can be heard locally around Greenville