Charlie Love (5)

Charlie Love, was born on the south side of Chicago in 1956. He was introduced to the Blues by his mother and father at an early age and quickly fell under its spell. His father often played the harmonica while Charlie and his mother would dance and sing along to the sounds of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter and B.B. King. It wasn’t long before Charlie bought his own guitar at a pawnshop, and he set off to make Chicago Blues history. There could be no better playground for Charlie than Chicago’s exploding Blues scene. It was Lefty Dizz and Buddy Scott, two Chicago Blues legends that took Charlie under their wings and gave him his first opportunity to take the stage at the famed Checkerboard Lounge. He then began playing four nights a week on the south side with his own band, the Hotlinks. While leading his group, he was frequently called on by Blues stars like Mighty Joe Young and B.B. Odem to play guitar. Charlie caught the attention of Casey Jones, ex-drummer for the late great Albert Collins, who was fronting his own band at the Kingston Mines, one of Chicago’s high profile Blues clubs. The Mines hired him under his own name and Charlie was recognized as one of the city’s most outstanding blues singers. Charlie Love and the Silky Smooth Band have been one of Chicago’s premier Blues and dance bands on the scene for many years. This Chicago showman was the winner of the “Best Unsigned Band” contest and is a consistent feature at the Chicago Blues Festival. Charlie is recognized as one of the city’s outstanding performers and his sound keeps his audiences on their feet.