This is an eclectic mix of instrumental five-string banjo music from national champion banjo player Charles Wood.

13 MP3 Songs
COUNTRY: Bluegrass, CLASSICAL: Contemporary



Details:
A piano player since age 5, Charles Wood switched his focus to the banjo after listening to Flatt and Scruggs and receiving a banjo for his 15th birthday. After learning every banjo tune note for note on Flatt and Scruggs' classic recording Foggy Mountain Banjo Charles began to study under renowned South Carolina veteran banjo player Al Osteen. At age 18 he began playing with ex-Bill Monroe sideman Curtis Blackwell and his band The Dixie Bluegrass Boys. With them he toured extensively throughout the eastern US performing at Bluegrass festivals. It was during this time that Charles began listening to a wide array of banjo players and other musicians as well. His style of playing encompasses musical genres from traditional Bluegrass to Classical music.

Charles has won first place in every major banjo contest in the US including the 1998 Merlefest Banjo Contest in Wilkesboro North Carolina, the 2004 SC State Banjo Contest (Renofest), the 2005 Rockygrass banjo contest in Lyons, Colorado, and in 1999 the prestigious Winfield National Banjo Contest in Winfield, Kansas.

Charles was recently invited by the actor Steve Martin, an accomplished banjo player himself, to perform with him and the legendary Earl Scruggs as part of Martin's group "Men With Banjos Who Know How To Use Them" at the prestigious New Yorker Festival in New York City in Sept 2005. Charles also made an appearance with this group on The Late Show With David Letterman on September 21st 2005. Also, in October Charles performed for sold out audiences in the play Foxfire at The Flat Rock Playhouse in Flat Rock NC.

Charles Wood currently performs with several bands including Curtis Balckwell And The Dixie Bluegrass Boys and The Wild Hog Band. Other recent venues include performances at The Biltmore Estate in Asheville NC, Brevard Music Center, The Brooks Center at Clemson University, and various regional and national Bluegrass festivals.

Charles recently completed a new cd entitled "Tour de Banjo" (released October 2005). His other two cds are "Somewhere Over The Banjo" and a Christmas cd "Banjo Noel". These recordings encompass many styles of playing and show the versatility of the 5-String banjo.

Charles Wood captivates audiences and achieves what few banjo players today do- a purely unique, versatile, professional sound. He is a musician with both the personality and vitality to capture the attention and praise of even the most elite audience. With every performance he seizes the devotion of new fans and rises above the expectations of old ones. He is a musician whose music will endure.

For more information visit www.charleswoodbanjo.com