charles walker

Biography

Charles 'Wigg' Walker, born July 12, 1940, in Nashville, Tennessee, is a celebrated American soul and blues singer whose career spans more than six decades. Nicknamed 'Wigg' by his mother for his full head of hair at birth, Walker began performing as a child, singing and tap dancing before moving into the vibrant R&B scene of the 1960s. He rose to prominence as the frontman for the J.C. Davis Band, touring nationally and sharing stages with legendary artists such as James Brown, Jackie Wilson, Etta James, Wilson Pickett, Little Willie John, Otis Redding, and Sam Cooke. His early recordings with the band, notably 'Sweet Sweet Love' and 'The Chicken Scratch' for Chess Records, have become prized collector's items.

In 1964, Walker founded Little Charles and the Sidewinders, a group that became a fixture in the New York nightclub circuit and recorded for both Chess and Decca Records. Despite limited commercial chart success, Walker's energetic performances and soulful voice earned him a dedicated following. During the 1970s, he briefly stepped away from music to run an art gallery in New York but returned as a songwriter for Motown and later relocated to Europe, where renewed interest in his earlier work led to successful tours, especially in England and Spain. The blues and R&B revival of the 1990s brought Walker back to Nashville, where he fronted The Dynamites and continued to record and perform, cementing his legacy as a dynamic and enduring figure in American soul and blues music.

Fun Facts

• Walker was nicknamed 'Wigg' by his mother because he was born with a full head of hair.
• He owned and operated an art gallery in New York City during the 1970s and named his own record label after it (P R Gallery).
• Some of his early recordings became highly collectible in Europe, sparking a revival of his career overseas.
• Walker wrote songs for Motown during a brief hiatus from performing.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• James Brown - Walker opened for Brown while fronting the J.C. Davis Band, absorbing Brown's dynamic stagecraft and showmanship. (Live performances, national tours) [Early 1960s]

Key Collaborators

• J.C. Davis - Walker was lead singer for the J.C. Davis Band, recording and touring together. (Chess Records singles ('Sweet Sweet Love', 'The Chicken Scratch')) [Early 1960s]
• Lloyd Price - Helped Walker's group Little Charles and the Sidewinders secure recording opportunities. (Unreleased solo album, Decca singles) [Mid-1960s to 1970s]
• The Dynamites - Walker fronted this Nashville-based soul band during the R&B revival. (Live performances, studio recordings) [2000s–2010s]

Artists Influenced

• Younger Nashville soul musicians - Walker’s energetic style and longevity have inspired a new generation of soul and R&B artists in Nashville. (Collaborations and mentorship through live performances) [2000s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Caught in the Current - Acoustic (Caught in the Current (Acoustic))
2. Stay for a While (Stay for a While)
3. Still In Carolina - Acoustic (Still In Carolina (Acoustic))
4. Rosalie (Charles Walker)
5. Still in Carolina (Still in Carolina)
6. Caught in the Current (Caught in the Current)
7. Since I Sank the Ship (Since I Sank the Ship)
8. Sober I Love You (Whole Again)
9. I Used to Think I Was (Charles Walker)
10. Crutch (Ben Trickey / Charles Walker Split)

External Links

• Spotify