We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Charles Grace . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Charles below.

Alright, Charles thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

Am I happy as a creative? That depends on the day, haha! I would say happiness comes and goes. What I can tell you is that I am compelled to create. It’s like a bad tattoo that I cannot cover up or hide. Writing songs, practicing, and performing are integrated into my daily life. I am committed to creativity. It’s the longest consecutive relationship I’ve ever been in. I am monogamous to a fault when it comes to music. While I don’t wake up every day feeling like a rock star, I am ultimately fulfilled pursuing this path, which is more than enough for me.

Charles , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My family has been essential to my initial interest in music. My grandfather had enough vinyl records to fill a bedroom. From an early age, I was exposed to an eclectic range of music from every time period: Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, The Beatles, Queen, Journey, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Garth Brooks, Boyz II Men, Brian McKnight. You name it. This shaped my tendency to listen to albums from front to back until I memorized every title and the order of each track. I began playing guitar when I was thirteen years old, I wrote my first song when I was fifteen. It was an extra credit project for English class. The song was inspired by The Crucible by Arthur Miller.

When I was eighteen years old, I took up classical guitar at Coastal Carolina University. I grew out my finger nails, bought a foot stool, and learned how to read sheet music in three weeks. At the same time, I was still writing recording, and performing with various rock and roll bands in my hometown. I toured the Southeast a few times after graduating.

In 2018, I relocated to California from South Carolina. I only took what would fit in my Nissan Pathfinder and drove across country in four days. Since being back in California, I have been fortunate to release two new albums: The Wreckage (2020) and Wanderer (2023). I have also had the privilege of playing at The Hotel Cafe in Hollywood and House of Blues in Anaheim. Moving forward, my goals include landing sync placements and sharing the stage with one or more of my music heroes. I am not slowing down any time soon.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist for me is hearing how people connect with the songs I write. A few years ago, a friend of mine unfortunately lost his life in a car wreck. I wrote a song for him call “Laugh Until I Cry.”
I reached out to his mother online and shared the song. She used it at her son’s funeral service.
The other night, I played a show in my hometown and met his mother in person for the first time. She looked me in the eyes with tears rolling down her cheeks and said, “You don’t know how much you blessed me. Thank you for doing that for my son. It’s priceless. I’ll never be able to repay you.”

She summed it up perfectly. That experience is priceless. It is an absolute honor and privilege to provide some sense of peace and comfort for others during difficult times. To be able to do that through music for a grieving mother is beyond anything I could have imagined prior.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

It’s simple. Show up when it matters most. This goes for everyone, not just creatives. Go to their local concerts, art shows, and poetry readings. If they have merchandise, then buy it from them directly. Encourage your family and friends to do the same. Word of mouth is the most powerful currency we have. We do not take your time or physical presence for granted. Show up. We notice, and we really appreciate it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/charlesgracemusic
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/charlesgracemusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Charles.E.Grace.Music
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYu5L9P8AgIUV317duKtqdQ
• Other: https://charlesgrace.bandcamp.com/album/wanderer-ep

Image Credits
Kaays Photos Walker McKnight