Charlie Chalmers
Charles (Charlie) Chalmers (* Memphis , Tennessee ) is an American saxophonist, backing singer, session musician, songwriter and producer.
Life
He gained his first musical experience in the marching band of his high school . At the age of 19, he was on tour with Jerry Lee Lewis . He soon built his reputation in Memphis as a soulful saxophonist. He started as a session musician with Bill Black, Elvis Presley's bassist . His reputation spread quickly and he was often called when a saxophonist was needed. He played and sang with Willie Mitchell (Soul Serenade), Al Green (Let's stay together) and Wilson Pickett (Land of 1000 Dances, Mustang Sally).
During the session with Wilson Pickett, he met Jerry Wexler and Tom Dowd , with whom he made many recordings for Atlantic Records . Chalmers wrote most of the wind arrangements for the recordings with Aretha Franklin , where he also played the saxophone. Even Rick Hall of Fame Records his career significantly influenced, he played for Etta James , Clarence Carter , The Osmonds (Donnie and Marie), Paul Anka , Doby Gray, Mac Davis, Andy Williams and Wayne Newton . Rick Hall also produced an album for Chalmers (Sax and the Single Girl, Chess Records ).
After the recordings with Paul Anka, he asked him if he would like to play for him at a few gigs. These few gigs turned into three years at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas . Chalmers also set up a studio there. A session with Frank Sinatra took place there, where Chalmers was the backing singer, which he said was a great honor.
After a few years in Las Vegas, he went to Miami, where he worked with artists such as Andy Gibb , The Bee Gees , Fire Fall, Harry Chapin , John Mellencamp and KC and the Sunshine Band . In 1989 he built his own studio in Branson , where he still works and lives today.
Successful songs by Charlie Chalmers
- Conway Twitty : The Clown
- Isaac Hayes : One Woman, One Big Unhappy Family
- Oak Ridge Boys : Alice Is in Wonderland
- Al Green : One Woman
- The Staple Singers : City in the Sky
- Boz Scaggs : Look What I Got
- Etta James : It Hurts Me So Much
Artists who worked with Charlie Chelmers (selection)
- Widespread Panic
- Aretha Franklin
- Al Green
- Wilson Pickett
- Etta James
- Liza Minnelli
- Tony Joe White
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- Paul Anka
- Mel Tillis
- TG Sheppard
- Mac Davis
- The Bill Black Combo
- Janie Fricke
- Ann Peebles
- Andy Williams
- Andy Gibb
- Melissa Manchester
- The Bee Gees
- Dusty Springfield
- Joe Tex
- Delbert McClinton
- Booker T. & the MG's
- John Cougar Mellencamp
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Chalmers, Charlie |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Chalmers, Charles |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American musician |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 20th century |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Memphis, Tennessee |