Charlie Wheeler Band

Fate works in strange ways. Sometimes, when the stars line up just at the right angle, and luck is in one’s favor, amazing things can happen. This might be the best way to describe the conception of the Charlie Wheeler Band. When songwriter and guitarist Charlie Wheeler decided it was “time to make a proper recording,” he enlisted the help of Anthony Brown, the very talented Keyboardist, Engineer and Producer at All Sound Studios. “Anthony helped me assemble the right mix of guys to get this project going.” says Wheeler. Brown started by immediately calling his long time collaborator and close friend, Greek Cheronis (vocals/harmonicas). During his phone conversation with Brown, it took Cheronis about three sentences to be convinced that he needed to be part of this recording project. He arrived at the studio about 15 minutes later, unannounced and all fired up. Thus began the Charlie Wheeler Band. A combination of some of the hottest and most talented musicians between Jamestown (NY), Warren (PA) and Ridgway (PA), the Charlie Wheeler Band was created in 2007. Assembled as a studio band, the group became energized as the recording of their debut CD “Highway Run” progressed. With the addition of Chuck Jaques on Bass and Darren Payne on the Drums, all of the pieces seemed to fit together. Collectively, the decision was made; a high energy, powerful live show needed to be shared. “What happened to the guitar solo, the keyboard solo, the attempt by the musician to get the most out of one’s instrument? Where did it go? Isn’t playing your instrument to your fullest potential one of the bedrock principles that rock n’ roll music was founded upon?” Wheeler asks, directing the question at today’s popular music. Wheeler enjoys writing songs in a variety of styles, from riff based blues-rock to roadhouse-rockabilly to monster power ballads. He always tries to include a musical break so that the individual band members can express themselves through their instruments. During live performance the band is never shy about expansive improvisation. Maybe it took twenty years in the music business for things to fall into place. Maybe it was just where life took this group of talented players. Maybe the stars lined up just right. Maybe it was just fate.