• 5 years ago
PRESENTED BY BARBARA RAPPAPORT

On January 1st, 2010, Charlie Faye pulled out of her hometown of Austin, Texas, to embark on a modern bohemian adventure. In 10 months, Charlie made her home in 10 different towns; starting a new band in each town, performing live and recording a new song with them.

Charlie's tour was more like John Steinbeck's famous road-trip with his dog than a musician's mad dash across the country. Instead of landing in a city, playing a show, then taking off the next day, Charlie spent a month getting to know the people and personality of each place she made her home.

Throughout the year, Charlie recorded songs across the country for her upcoming album with members of Calexico, The Eagles, Lil' Band O' Gold, Navarro (Carole King's band from the 70s), and Malcolm Burn (Emmylou Harris), Warren Storm, Dave Way (Michael Jackson), Paul Bryan (Aimee Mann), Brian MacLeod (Sheryl Crow, John Hiatt), Ian Moore (Jason Mraz), Kenny Vaughan (Lucinda Williams), Will Sexton, and Chris Scruggs.

Few people take the opportunity to explore America and its music culture the way Charlie Faye did in 2010. Musicians, business executives, parents and dreamers break out in large smiles when Charlie tells them about her adventure, the sort of trip that, at one time or another, they all dreamed of taking themselves.

When asked why she chose to tour in this unusual way, Charlie implores: "Ask any musician, on returning from a tour, 'How was Seattle? What was Chicago like?' -- and they'll tell you: 'I don't know, man, we just got off the bus and played... and then got back on the bus.'" The desire to not just skim the surface that way inspired Charlie to put together this very unique tour.

In addition to taking on this year long adventure and recording project, Charlie has become one of Austin's most recognized music community organizers. Front page stories in the Austin American Statesman and the Austin Chronicle have outlined Charlie's efforts to save a longstanding musicians' enclave of cottages in South Austin.

Charlie's sound has evolved from theoretical Americana to something that couldn't be called anything else. In her upcoming record, Travels With Charlie, she explores every musical corner of this country, from the swamps of Louisiana to the deserts of the Southwest. Channeled through her resonant, sultry voice, her songs are a reflection of the places she's been. Charlie has also toured with Dan Zanes and Greg Garing, and played as a sideman with many others, including Natalie Merchant and Will Sexton.

www.charliefaye.com

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