“Probably the same way it has for all musicians. I cannot begin to describe the huge impact that the “golden era” had on everyone and everyone’s music. And still does to this very day. From Elvis to The Stones to Fogerty to …you name the artist and theirs and my fundamentals lie in the roots of blues. The blues simply teach us to write, play and sing from our heart and soul.”

Michael Charles: Guitars, Music, and Miles

Michael Charles musical pilgrimage started over six decades ago in his birth place Melbourne, Australia. While enjoying a successful musical crusade of touring, recording, and numerous television and radio appearances in his homeland, Michael received an invitation from Buddy Guy’s management to appear at the infamous Legends in Chicago, Illinois USA. Graciously accepting the honor, Michael Charles traveled the twelve thousand five hundred miles and took the stage with Mr. Buddy Guy. After numerous trips back and forth, Michael Charles made the monumental and life changing decision to make America his home. Charles worked the whole Chicago blues circuit performing with Mr. Buddy Guy, Phil Guy, James Cotton, Eddy Clearwater, Junior Wells, George Baze, as well as touring with blues legend, Jimmy Dawkins. In 2015 Michael Charles received the extreme honor of an induction into the Blues Hall of Fame.

(Michael Charles / Photo by Wendy Rae)

In 2016 Australian film producer started work on a documentary chronicling the musical career of Michael Charles. The Documentary was released in March of 2018 and the DVD in 2019. "Soundtracked", the CD soundtrack to the documentary was also released in 2019. Michael Charles is traveling his eighteenth consecutive international tour the “guitars, music and miles 2025" tour which will once again take him to the far corners of the USA, Canada, and Australia. The 2025 tour promises a multitude of concerts and publicity appearances as MC performs a whole new list of cities, festivals, and music venues and revisits some favorites from the last seventeen tours.

Interview by Michael Limnios.                                  Special Thanks: Jane Rogers

How do you think that you have grown as an artist since you first started making music? 

Apart from the growth that comes to one naturally through the years, I believe my personal growth is the result of continuing to strive to always do my absolute best. 

What has remained the same about your music-making process?  

The passion, the desire and one step further, the pure necessity to make music.

What keeps a musician passionate after six decades in rock, blues? 

Not to sound repetitive but for me it is simply the raw need. The raw need to live it and to breathe it at all times.

What's the balance in music between technique (skills) and soul/emotions?

They intertwine. The root skills (technique) are essential. Then when you play from your soul, with emotion, the balance between the two naturally happens.

How did that the of documentary “Soundtracked” come about? 

Well, the actual documentary is named “All I Really Know from A to Z” and the CD soundtrack for the documentary is titled “Soundtracked”. Originally my management reached out to a well-known Australian director who made my early videos in the 80s about making a new video. After researching my career in the U.S., he felt and suggested that instead of a video, my story deserved a full documentary.

What do you learn about yourself from the blues people? 

I suppose one of the biggest revelations was the realization I had been playing the blues all along, without even knowing it, even before I came to America and had the good fortune to rub shoulders with these blues greats that I knew so well only from CD covers back home in Australia.

“I couldn’t feel better when I am on tour. Traveling thousands of miles to entertain so many audiences in so many areas who are waiting for you is in itself awe inspiring and makes all those hard  days and long nights more than worth it.” (Michael Charles / Photo by Wendy Rae)

How has your experience with the “golden era” of blues influenced the way you compose and perform today? 

Probably the same way it has for all musicians. I cannot begin to describe the huge impact that the “golden era” had on everyone and everyone’s music. And still does to this very day. From Elvis to The Stones to Fogerty to …you name the artist and theirs and my fundamentals lie in the roots of blues. The blues simply teach us to write, play and sing from our heart and soul.

You’ve worked in many different settings, from clubs and bars to open air festivals and roadhouses. How do you navigate between these different worlds?

For me there is no difference or need for navigation. I will do the same for a room of 20 that I will do for an arena of 20,000.

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

I believe a real good song is a real good song forever. Unfortunately, lacking an abundance of good songs and music, our youth, our advertising agencies, our movies continually draw on the good songs from the past. Our new generation is intelligent and recognize good songs and I find that they are drawn to my music and appreciate it as much as my audiences from 40 years ago.

What has been the hardest obstacle for you to overcome as a person and as artist and has this helped you become a better blues musician?

I am not sure if it is exactly an obstacle, but completely accepting my path, regardless of all the trials and tribulations and doing whatever is necessary to continue and everything else comes along naturally.

You’re on the road with international tour “Guitar, Music and Miles 2025". How does life on the road affect your mood and inspiration?

I couldn’t feel better when I am on tour. Traveling thousands of miles to entertain so many audiences in so many areas who are waiting for you is in itself awe inspiring and makes all those hard days and long nights more than worth it.

Michael Charles - Home

(Michael Charles / Photo by Wendy Rae)