Charlie Parr is a roots musician like no other today. His blistering picking -- he switches between acoustic guitar, dobro and banjo -- and keening, cut-through-the-crowd vocals resonate with a conviction that runs deep and true. It's the music of a self-taught guitarist and banjo player who grew up listening to his dad's recordings of America's musical founding fathers, including Charley Patton and Lightnin' Hopkins, Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly. His heartfelt and plaintive original folk blues and traditional spirituals don't strive for authenticity, they are authentic.
Quiet, thoughtful and humble, the Minnesota musician has built a frenzied following of fans around the world with his energetic performances and 13 records including his latest Stumpjumper (April 2015 – Red House Records) Parr has made two albums of spirituals, and a few traditional songs of the hard life and the hereafter are always in his live sets. Such music isn’t necessarily rooted in the Methodist church in which he grew up: “It was more like, let’s get the service over quick so we can get downstairs and drink coffee and have pie!” But faith, though undefined, underlines all of Charlie’s music, both in the listening, the covering, the writing and performing. In addition to being such a great musician, he's also one of the nicest people in the known universe and we are always thrilled to host him. Come on out and have some pie! You’ll be glad you did.