Charlie Hill

Artist Information

Biography

In August of 2011 Charlie Hill released his debut CD "The Landing." Recorded at his home studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma, then mixed and mastered at Home of Tone by Steve Thornbrugh of Tulsa, the disc contains 7 guitar instrumentals, one harp guitar instrumental, and one vocal tune. The result is an album that blurs the boundaries of acoustic, folk, and new age.

In addition to playing bass in classic rock bands, early influences were Steven Stills, Neil Young, Leo Kottke, and Willis Alan Ramsey. Later, the music of Michael Hedges and Preston Reed led to the exploration of open tunings and percussive techniques. When playing live Charlie attempts to create sounds from his instruments that are melodic, rhythmic, and relaxing. At other times the music is uptempo, foot-stomping fun. Influenced by numerous live performances of Leo Kottke and the late Michael Hedges, he has attempted to create a live sound that is strong, clear, and unique. He uses a combination of pickups to capture not only the highs and lows but also the natural percussive wood sound. In the last few years he has added a harp guitar to his recordings and live shows. During his shows the occasional vocal tune offers a nice counter-point to his mostly instrumental presentation.

Recording has begun on the as yet untitled follow-up CD set for release in early 2013. It will include more guitar instrumentals, harp guitar, a vocal or two, and additional instrumentation.

***Honorable Mention, 2013 Indie International Song Writing Contest, "Dogs In Paradise"
***Finalist, 2012 Great American Song Contest, "Hayward Hawthorne"
***Finalist, 2012 International Acoustic Music Awards, "Surreal McCoy, The Hospice Nurse"
***Finalist, 2012 USA Songwriting Competition, "Surreal McCoy, The Hospice Nurse"
***Semifinalist, 2012 UK Songwriting Contest (two songs)
***Semifinalist, 2012 International Songwriting Contest, "Dogs In Paradise"
***Finalist, 2011 International Acoustic Music Awards, "Dogs In Paradise"
***Finalist, 2011 Great American Song Contest, "Surreal McCoy, The Hospice Nurse"

--all entries instrumental


Quotes of note:

"A master class in acoustic guitar, you won't believe that one man and one guitar can create such depth."
-Jack Lyons, Americana UK

"Finger-style acoustic guitarist Charlie Hill has an ear for that marinated-rosewood sound that only the best instruments and the most proficient players can create...a master class in guitar tunings."
-Janet Goodman, Music News Nashville

"Hill's guitar playing virtuoso is classically mesmerizing..."
-Cyrus Rhodes, The Muse's Muse

Instrumentation

Charlie Hill - acoustic and harp guitar

Discography

The Landing CD, released Aug. 2011

Official Website

http://www.charliehillguitar.com

Links

• Jango Music
• cdbaby

Audio

• Dogs In Paradise
  Listen  
• Hayward Hawthorne
  Listen  
• Love Letters From Arabia
  Listen  
• Surreal McCoy(The Hospice Nurse
  Listen  
• Aileen
  Listen  
• The Landing
  Listen  
• Polaris Pass
  Listen  
• Intro/Crosscut
  Listen  
• Simple Song
  Listen  

Video

sonicbidmv2.mov

Photo Gallery

Press

• Honorable Mention, 2013 Indie International Songwriting Contest
  

  Honorable Mention, 2013 Indie International

• Finalist, 2012 14th Annual Great American Song Contest, "Hayward Hawthorne"
  

  Finalist

• 9th Annual International Acoustic Music Awards, finalist [+ Show ]
  

  Charlie Hill is a finalist for the second time for the 9th Annual International Acoustic Music Award...Charlie Hill is a finalist for the second time for the 9th Annual International Acoustic Music Awards

• Charlie Hill, finalist, 2012 USA Songwriting Competition, Instrumental, "Surreal McCoy, The Hospice Nurse
  

  Charlie Hill is a finalist the the 2012 Songwriting Competition

• Charlie Hill, finalist, The Great American Song Contest, 2011, Instrumental [+ Show ]
  

  Charlie Hill is a finalist in The Great American Song Contest, 2011, Instrumental category, for "Sur...Charlie Hill is a finalist in The Great American Song Contest, 2011, Instrumental category, for "Surreal McCoy, The Hospice Nurse."

• Charlie Hill, finalist, 8th Annual International Acoustic Music Awards, Instrumental [+ Show ]
  

  Charlie Hill is a finalist in the 8th Annual International Acoustic Music Awards, Instrumental Categ...Charlie Hill is a finalist in the 8th Annual International Acoustic Music Awards, Instrumental Category, for "Dogs In Paradise."

• Charlie Hill, semi-finalist, 2012 UK Songwriting Contest, "Surreal McCoy" and "Dogs In Paradise"
  

  Charlie Hill, semi-finalist

• 2012 International Songwriting Contest [+ Show ]
  

  Charlie Hill's song "Dogs In Paradise" is a semifinalist in the 2012 International Songwriting Conte...Charlie Hill's song "Dogs In Paradise" is a semifinalist in the 2012 International Songwriting Contest

• International Acoustic Music Awards Featured Artists of the Month
  

  Charlie Hill is a featured artist this month

• Americana UK Review: The Landing
  

  A master class in acoustic guitar, you won't believe one man and one guitar can create such depth...

• Dangerdog Review : The Landing CD
  

  Review for Charlie Hill's "The Landing"

• Paper Dragon Review of "The Landing"
  

  As I was doing a little research on Charlie Hill...

• Cd Review: Musesmuse
  

  Charlie Hill as released "The Landing."

• Instrumental Music@Suite 101 Review: The Landing [+ Show ]
  

  Instrumentalist Charlie Hill's tranquil guitar magnifies the joys of nature and storytelling without...Instrumentalist Charlie Hill's tranquil guitar magnifies the joys of nature and storytelling without words.

• Neufutur Review: The Landing [+ Show ]
  

  The emotive guitar work that begins The Landing draws the listeners in; there is a narration that is...The emotive guitar work that begins The Landing draws the listeners in; there is a narration that is present throughout the entirety of the opening effort, Dogs In Paradise.

• Music News Nashville Review [+ Show ]
  

  Finger-style guitarist Charlie Hill has an ear for that marinated-rosewood should that only the best...Finger-style guitarist Charlie Hill has an ear for that marinated-rosewood should that only the best instruments and the most proficient players can create. This Tulsa-based musician captured it in his home studio while recording his latest CD collection of instrumentals, "The Landing." Laying down each guitar track was done in one, live take - no simple feat when performing nine self-penned, intricate and sophisticated pieces.
  
  Droning bass notes hit you in the gut right at the get-go in "Dogs In Paradise" The title track is introspective, flanked be the unusual starts and stops in "Hayward Hawthorne." "Intro/Crosscut" brings to mind Stephen Stills vintage CSN, and percussive beats on the guitar add a sort of engine-knocking to songs like "Aileen." A quiet, lilting melody may be hinging at a better life to come on "Surreal McCoy (The Hospice Nurse), and quirky slid passages dazzle in "Polaris Pass."
  
  Hill does offer an easy, unpretentious vocal on the folky "Simple Song," and delivers his lone harp guitar performance on "Love Letters From Arabia," where haunting string vibrations linger well past each attack. This album is a master class in guitar tunings.
  
  P.S. Check out the website blog entry about his chance encounter with Hendrix, just three months before his untimely death. Here's a snippet:
  
  "...the next thing I knew I was walking through the airport with Jimi Hendrix...my family and I essentially had him to ourselves..He looked at me when he spoke. He asked me if I was going to the show and where he could get a good cheeseburger, He had an 8 mm movie camera and shot a few frames of us...friendly, talkative and in no particular hurry." -- Janet Goodman, Music News Nashville

• skopemag.com Review: The Landing [+ Show ]
  

  Charlie Hill is introducing his debut CD, "The Landing." I wish I was Charlie Hill or at least had ...Charlie Hill is introducing his debut CD, "The Landing." I wish I was Charlie Hill or at least had a 3rd of his abilities. He is a guitarist that lives in a realm above us all. I have never hearts such purposeful and concise music.

• Minor 7th Review, The Landing [+ Show ]
  

  "Dogs In Paradise," the opening tune on Charlie Hill's debut CD "The Landing," is a relatively slow ..."Dogs In Paradise," the opening tune on Charlie Hill's debut CD "The Landing," is a relatively slow melodic and rhythmic tune. The alternating bass pulsing and sparkling treble notes actually brought to mind a couple of dogs playfully and lazily playing on a sun drenched front porch.
  
  Hill works his way through a handful of original compositions that are complex enough to intrigue and simple enough to please. Crisp technique and warm tone are present throughout, but really shine on the title cut, "Surreal McCoy," and "Love Letters From Arabia," the later performed on harp guitar. The sonic palette offered is consistent, even considering Hill's vocal on the next to last track, which seems right at home on this first CD.
  --James Filkins, Minor 7th

• Urban Tulsa Hot 100 -- Charlie Hill [+ Show ]
  

  One of Tulsa's hidden treasures and biggest secrets, Hill is one the most underrated guitarists in t...One of Tulsa's hidden treasures and biggest secrets, Hill is one the most underrated guitarists in town. Debut CD, "The Landing," only scratches the surface of Hill's playing, which spans acoustic and harp guitar as well as electric bass. An understated artist with huge guitar chops, we can guarantee you'll hear more from Hill in 2012. -- by Urban Tulsa Weekly staff

• Music Emissions Review: The Landing
  

  Charlie

Setlist

Mostly original instrumentals, a few vocals, and some covers.

Dogs In Paradise
Surreal McCoy
Aileen
Hayward Hawthorne
Full Sail
Love Letters From Arabia
etc.

Basic Requirements

Calendar