Blues and roots music harmonica player known as ‘Choo-Choo-Charlie’ Williams. Originally from Philadelphia, Williams moved to Baltimore in mid-‘70s where he went on to establish himself as one of the best harpists in the area. Charlie’s day job took him to Germany 1981-1986. During this time, he performed regularly throughout eastern Europe. Back in the states he worked with many of the Baltimore and Washington area’s top musicians including Big Jesse Yawn, Carl Filipiak, Linwood Taylor, Persuaders, Nadine Rae, Rich Chorne’, Tommy Lepson, Daryl Davis, Ron Holloway, Professor Mack Walter, Jim Allison, Paul Bell, Steve Jacobs, Larry Dennis, Red Jones, Automatic Slim, Stevie ‘Guitar’ Sparks & the Leisure Scientists, and many others including country and bluegrass bands.
Williams was a member of the blues band Loaded Roller that also featured Marc Levant (guitar), Danny Powell (bass), Mike Lang (keyboards), and Mike D’Amato (drums)…
With his group the Spitfires he released an original music CD in 1999 featuring blues, Cajun, and a variety of roots style music. Featured on the CD were Williams (harmonica, lead vocals), with Tommy Lepson (B-3 organ, vocals), Mike Lang (piano), Daryl Davis (piano –Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry bands), Rich Chorne’ (guitar), Larry Dennis (guitar), Marc Levant (guitar), Mac Walter (guitar), Rick Hagman (bass), Danny Powell (bass), Josh Scheps (drums), Mike D’Amato (drums), Cesar Vanegas (congas), Geno Delafose (New Orleans accordionist), Jonas Goldstein (violin), Dave Fairall (tenor sax), Rae Venetianer (vocals), with the Spitfire Horns consisting of Christopher D. Hutton (trumpet), Wayne Sulc (tenor sax), Rob Holmes (baritone sax).
Working as a duo with acoustic blues guitarist/vocalist Baltimore Red Jones they were winner of the Summer 1991 Baltimore Blues Society regional blues contest. The duo released a blues cassette in 1994 titled “Rendezvous Ragtime.” Williams and Jones also released a CD in 1999 titled “Gutbucket Blues” that featured covers of authentic pre-war style acoustic blues.
Williams and his groups played everywhere “from the streets of Vienna to the high Alps of Chamonix, France. From Handy Square in Memphis to clubs in Chicago. From the Spanish Ballroom in Glen Echo, MD to Maryland Musician All-Star jams. From Margaritaville in Key West to Sushi Blues in Kuwai. At Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago, Panida Theater in Sandpoint, Idaho, State Theater in VA, Recher Theater, Café Tattoo, Full Moon, and Eight by Ten in Baltimore, Yale Hotel in Vancouver, Déjà Vu in Montreal, Panorama Ski Lodge in B.C., and Bally’s Casino and Double Down Saloon in Las Vegas, Mummers Museum in Philadelphia, Havana’s in New Hope, PA, Tobacco Road in Miami, and many many others.” He and his groups opened for or performed with Magic Slim and the Teardrops, guitarist Sonny Rhodes, Michael Hill and the New York Blues Mob, Mark Wenner and the Nighthawks, zydeco great Roy Carrier, singer/harmonicist Kim Wilson, rock guitarist Rick Derringer, blues legend Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown, and many others.
Choo Choo was the #2 ranked harmonicist behind Kixx frontman Steve Whiteman in the Fall 1994 Mid-Atlantic Monthly annual music poll. In 1991, ‘92, ‘93, ‘95 and ‘96 he was selected as a Mid Atlantic Musician Allstar. Finalist in the Jazz/Instrumental category in the Songwriters of Washington competition.
Charlie’s harmonica work is also featured on the Rich Chorne’ All Stars 2005 CD.
Charlie Williams discography:
Choo Choo Charlie Williams & the Spitfires:
1999(CD) Crabgrass Music Harpin’ My Life Away
ChooChoo Charlie Williams and Baltimore Red Jones:
1999(CD) Crabgrass Music Gutbucket Blues
With the Rich Chorne’ All Stars:
2005(CD) Chorne’ Music Rich Chorne’ All Stars featuring Nadine Rae
