Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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FEATHERS, Charlie

(b 12 June '32, Holly Springs MS) Singer, guitarist, songwriter; legendary rockabilly who never made the big time. Raised on farm, learned guitar from black sharecropper Junior Kimball, left home at 17 to work in oil fields with his father, playing in Texas clubs at night. To Memphis at 18; he hung around at Sun Records and claimed to have had a hand in arr. of 'Blue Moon Of Kentucky' (Elvis Presley's first release). Own first record was on Flip '55; first Sun single 'Defrost Your Heart' same year. Recorded for Meteor, King, Kay, Walmay, Philips International '56--9, in country and rockabilly styles; gained legendary status but few sales. Carried on through '60s; LP for Barrelhouse '68; single 'That Certain Smile'/'She Set Me Free' on Rollin' Rock re- established legend and gained him date at London's Rainbow Theatre '77: event recorded by EMI's Harvest label. Formed own Feathers label, released Charlie Feathers Vol. 1 and Vol. 2; more recent albums were Jungle Fever '87 and Charlie Feathers '91 on Elektra. In the '90s he worked with his son on guitar and daughter on vocals, still doing classic rockabilly. Work anthologized on 1954--1973 Definitive Collection on Zu-Zazz CD.