In this the birthday month of our subject, it would be interesting to
know what made you a fan. I was 20 when I first heard Charles in
1976. Prior to that, I had been influenced by the rockers and what
we
then called "jazz rock." Most of them seemed to employ angst and
aggressiveness more than the volume at which they played - It was
angry
and bitter and dirty and nasty. I had of course heard Chet and Roy
Clark on "Hee Haw", but they seemed like novelty acts. My mother had
some old Les Paul and Mary Ford "45's", but they sounded quaint. To
me, Christian was the first I heard employ love for the instrument,
if
not the music. His perfect execution and phrasing sounded effortless
and exciting. And that tone - how did he do that on that dinosaur of
a
rig? Most of all, I was shot down. Now I really had to learn how to
play the guitar. And those who don't get it - what is it? You can
play them a Christian record and they don't budge - are they alive?
But, then, look at what's popular...