*R&B singing legend, Charlie Wilson, is used to the lime-light, which has illuminated his long and storied career in music for decades. After all, from the 1970s into the 1990s, he was the front man for The GAP Band, one of the hottest R&B ensembles on the planet. The group, which he co-founded, consisted of three brothers from Tulsa, Oklahoma: Charlie (lead vocals, keyboards), Ronnie (horns, keyboards, background vocals) and Robert (bass, background vocals).
Music listeners didn’t need a GPS to find the GAP Band. All they had to do was look at the top of any R&B music chart, where they would find such hit songs as “Shake,” the group’s first hit and a top-ten tune. What followed was a string of mega hits, inclusive of “Early in the Morning,” “Outstanding,” “Burn Rubber (Why You Wanna Hurt Me?).” Other chart-toppers were, “I Don’t Believe You Want to Get Up and Dance (Oops, Upside Your Head)” “You Dropped a Bomb on Me,” “Party Train,” “Yearning for Your Love,” and many more.
Today, Wilson, 62, records and performs as a solo artist. His latest album is entitled, “Forever Charlie,” which contains the hit songs, “Goodnight Kisses” and “Touched by an Angel.” Wilson is also affectionally called “Uncle Charlie” by his younger fans, as well as dozens of younger recording artists, including the one’s that call themselves his famous nephews. Many of these younger artists have musically collaborated with their “Uncle Charlie”, to include Shaggy, Snoop Dogg, and Kanye West. It was Snoop Dogg who gave Wilson the nickname, “Uncle Charlie.”
Wilson is currently headlining his own national tour called “Forever Charlie,” which features recording artists KEM and Joe.
“I am so glad to be on the road once again and to bring my show to so many cities across the country,” said Wilson. “It’s going to be a special night for all the ladies that will join me and my special guests. I enjoy sharing the stage with my two talented friends, KEM and Joe. This is the biggest R&B tour that’s out and we are having a lot of fun.”
At one point in Wilson’s life and singing career, the word fun wasn’t in his vocabulary. There was this down period when he battled drug and alcohol addiction. However, he worked through, perhaps, the lowest chapter in his life to pull it back together. According to Wilson, with help, love, perseverance, and the grace of God, he is still standing…and still singing.
“It’s my turn again,” Wilson declared. “I’ve asked the Creator a long time ago for another chance. He has never failed me, so here I am again…and I’m loving every bit of it.”
Renewed with a clean, but thankful swagger, Wilson, in the mid-1990s, began his career as a solo artist. He charted his first No. 1 Billboard Urban AC hit called “Without You,” which was released in 2000 from the album, “Bridging the Gap.” It was recorded on an independent label. He soon inked a deal with Jive Records (the label morphed into RCA), where he released “Charlie, Last Name Wilson,” which yielded the hit single by the same name.
Wilson’s new career as a solo artist was not only grabbing the attention of GAP Band fans that were “yearning for his music,” he also captured the ears of a new generation and circle of young music lovers. Therefore, while the “old and new” iron was hot, Wilson struck again and again…by releasing such exhilarating albums as, “Uncle Charlie” “Just Charlie,” “Love, Charlie,” and of course, his latest recording project, “Forever Charlie.”
Some of the Billboard Urban Adult Contemporary chart-topping hit songs from his solo albums have included, “Charlie, Last Name Wilson,” “Magic,” “There Goes My Baby,” “Can’t Live Without You,” “You Are,” “Life of the Party,” “My Love Is All I Have.” Additionally, he placed “If I Believe” on the Gospel charts.
So far, Wilson has garnered nine Grammy nominations, which have included two for “Best R&B Song” and “Best R&B Performance” for “There’s Go My Baby” in 2009. The following year, his biggest hit to date, “You Are,” spent 13 consecutive weeks perched at the No. 1 spot, which again earned him Grammy considerations.
These days, “Uncle Charlie,” continues to marvel his growing legion of fans.
“I’m still in the game and I’m still relevant,” said the legendary songwriter, vocalist, and recording artist. “Music is still fun, and I’m having a whole lot of fun. I believe people still want to hear good singing and music and I think that I’ve been chosen to give it to them.”
While many singers Wilson’s age have lost a step or two vocally, he has not only gotten better with time, but is musically educating music lovers young enough to be his grandchildren. When asked about this phenomenon.
“I can still sing and my voice never went out of style,” Wilson said very candidly. “I’ve been blessed to have younger audiences that never saw or knew me with the GAP Band, but they have now identified and adapted to the sound of my voice as a solo artist.”
Wilson credits a major part of his longevity and dedication to making good music to a few musical legends that impacted him when he was starting out many decades ago.
“My idols were Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone, Donny Hathaway, and Stevie Wonder, just to name a few.” he said without hesitation. “I loved the energy of Sly, the smoothness of Donny, and really loved the versatility of Stevie’s vocals. Between those three artists, and my mom and dad and so many other singers that I loved, I just threw it all into one pot, while embracing the vocal gifts that God gave me, to just become Charlie.”
On the impetus behind the title of his new album, “Forever Charlie,” Wilson said he has no intention of ever leaving music, or slowing down.
“I think that I’ve been around forever,” said Wilson, with a laugh. “It’s a blessing that I’m still here. That’s why I named my new album, ‘Forever Charlie’…because I’m going to be around forever.”
For more information about Charlie Wilson and his national tour, log on to: www.charliewilsonmusic.com
Watch/listen to Charlie Wilson’s “Goodnight Kisses”:
Listen to Charlie Wilson’s FULL album, “Forever Charlie”:
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