Enliven special events, family fun days, or annual celebrations with the joyful sounds of North Carolina Bluegrass music! Charles Pettee, both as a solo act and with various bands, has shared the upbeat mix of music styles that make up our state's musical heritage at events for many years. Either on-site or at off-site venues, either indoors or out, Pettee draws from years of onstage experience to engage audiences of diverse ages and cultural backgrounds. He offers a variety of music in his solo act, performing Bluegrass, Blues, Celtic, Americana, and Folk-Rock stylings with his voice, guitar, mandolin, banjo and harmonica. He provides state of the art sound equipment, adequate for an audience of up to 700 people indoors, or capable of “wafting” the music throughout a large outdoor space, (he provides smaller sound systems for picnic shelters or cafeteria settings, as needed).
Looking for a band for an upcoming event? Charles Pettee's list of professional colleagues and friends with whom he performs reads like a “Who's Who?” of the best Bluegrass musicians in NC. Let Pettee line up a duo, trio, or quartet for your event -- with your input on instrumentation, if desired, (e.g., a duo act might pair Pettee with a fiddler or a banjo player; Pettee's trio “Chuck and the WagginEars” features guitar-banjo-fiddle and vocals; request an upright bass player to make this group a quartet, etc.). You choose the ensemble with his guidance, then he handles all managing and coordination of the band personnel and the sound system, all included in one flat fee.
“You shared your talents and knowledge in such a way that created a yearning to know more… Anyone that experiences your presentation will leave a little richer in their appreciation of American folk and bluegrass music, and many celebrating their own heritage.”
— Iris Ellington, Northwoods Elementary
Artist/Presenter Background
Charles Pettee, believes that music – especially North Carolina Bluegrass music – is an effective vehicle for fostering relationships between diverse groups of people. His programs demonstrate that Bluegrass, (which is an up-beat mix of blues, jazz, gospel, and country sounds), is a product of the influences of many different cultures, across many generations, and therefore, is a music form that engages a wide range of ages and experiences. Through schools, libraries, festivals, and private events, Pettee delights audiences with his unique blend of original and traditional Bluegrass music developed at more than 5,500 performances throughout the US, Canada, and Europe. Among his many projects, he is founding member of the world-traveling bluegrass group The Shady Grove Band, with whom he has recorded over 40 original compositions on six critically acclaimed CDs, he is founder of Charles Pettee & FolkPsalm, which has produced four CDs of Pettee’s original music, and he has toured nationally and internationally for over three decades. Pettee’s original songs have received airplay in more than twenty foreign countries, as well as digital and satellite transmissions. His love and mastery of southern string music have made him a sought-after Teaching Artist in educational settings for over twenty-five years, where his programs highlight the contributions of many cultures to the NC music landscape. Mr. Pettee continues to offer award-winning age-specific performances for preK through college, as well as workshops and residencies for libraries and educational institutions.
Additional Information
Charles Pettee, believes that music – especially North Carolina Bluegrass music – is an effective vehicle for fostering relationships between diverse groups of people. His programs demonstrate that Bluegrass, (which is an up-beat mix of blues, jazz, gospel, and country sounds), is a product of the influences of many different cultures, across many generations, and therefore, is a music form that engages a wide range of ages and experiences. Through schools, libraries, festivals, and private events, Pettee delights audiences with his unique blend of original and traditional Bluegrass music developed at more than 5,500 performances throughout the US, Canada, and Europe. Among his many projects, he is founding member of the world-traveling bluegrass group The Shady Grove Band, with whom he has recorded over 40 original compositions on six critically acclaimed CDs, he is founder of Charles Pettee & FolkPsalm, which has produced four CDs of Pettee’s original music, and he has toured nationally and internationally for over three decades. Pettee’s original songs have received airplay in more than twenty foreign countries, as well as digital and satellite transmissions. His love and mastery of southern string music have made him a sought-after Teaching Artist in educational settings for over twenty-five years, where his programs highlight the contributions of many cultures to the NC music landscape. Mr. Pettee continues to offer award-winning age-specific performances for preK through college, as well as workshops and residencies for libraries and educational institutions.
Additional Details
- Topic(s): Family Fun
- Discipline: Music
