Charbonnet

If you spend your life around people who constantly reinforce your weaknesses and point out what you can’t do- you either crawl into a shell or get stronger!

Partially deaf and blind is not the pedigree from which most Pop Culture Artists emerge- if Drew had listened to the teachers and school kids who constantly reminded him of his limitations he would be back home teaching grade school courses to kids with similar disabilities. He is Not! He lives in Nashville, recording and rehearsing with some of the best known players- preparing to go on the road and compete for audiences with the top names in the music industry!

122 Surgeries !!!! Born with an acoustic Neuroma (tumor in the ear- resulting in facial paralysis at 6 months and hearing loss) – 22 sets of tubes installed over a period of 6 years- they were never successful so the operations stopped at the age of 6. A 2 years of age, Drew had an accident that resulted in partial vision loss in the right eye- total loss by the age of 8. The eye was removed and replaced by a prosthetic- he is in essence a medical and musical anomaly, not to mention that he is a pro level Golfer.

An avid fan of all types of music growing up he participated in drama but didn’t pursue singing until 18, having his first performance in High School – he started fronting a band that year with his good friend RJ. Within the year, he had his first recording contract with Worldwide Entertainment; Kevin Wales & P. Diddy, negotiations proved difficult and they parted ways after 6 months. Within a month, Drew moved to Nashville to write songs and record an album.

While carrying bags at the Gaylord Hotel- Drew met experienced & grizzled songwriters who told their stories of working with the likes of Garth & Travis Tritt back in the day- it was through one of these “baggers” that he received a CD of an early 90’s band Menlo Park; he connected with the production and the Americana Roots of the music. The principal songwriters had relocated to Nashville and it was within months that he had connected with the producer. After countless discussions and many cups of Starbucks- they forged a relationship and proceeded to outline a strategy for his first album.

He gave up his job and the Gaylord and took a job at the Nolensville Starbucks to be close to the studio- and at this point started training for his first triathlon, from a weight of 210lbs he toned up to 180, he had shed 30lbs and was ready to have his picture taken. When he wasn’t in the gym or studio, he was working paying for all the musicians out of the Starbucks earning while sharing an apt with his brother.

Over the next 9 months he was able to write and work with some of the most experienced players in Nashville, Bruce Gaitsch, Mark Hill, Tony Harrell, Russ Pahl, Jeff Taylor, Eric Silver, Rob McNelley, Keith Howland as well as LA session guys Tim Pierce & Jai Winding.

As they finished up the basic tracks, mixer extraordinaire David Cole (Bob Seger, Sammy Haggar, N’Sync) heard some tracks- and agreed to mix the first 6 songs- David made the call to Hank Williams at Mastermix and the project was off and running.

With a finished EP in his hands, look for the Charbonnet Band fall of 2009 !!!