Nick Charles
In the decades since The Age recognized Nick as “Australia’s virtuoso of acoustic roots and blues” the legend has grown with every US tour, now totalling thirteen and every new acclaimed album, now more than twenty.
Classic blues and fingerstyle underpin a vast repertoire, but the influences are diverse. They range from his ragtime guitar heroes Big Bill, Blind Blake and of course Robert Johnson but include obvious references to players as eclectic as Doc Watson, Merle Travis and the modern school of John Fahey and Leo Kottke.
His songs have won countless awards including the Australian Song Contest twice, every conceivable Australia blues award multiple times, and festival song competitions in the USA.
At the 2025 International Blues Challenge in Memphis Tennessee, Nick won Best Solo/Duo Guitarist from a staggeringly large field further highlighting his standing.
A typical performance includes classic fingerstyle instrumentals such as Sleepwalk and Albatross, reflective Dylanesque lyricism and high energy roots and blues. Along the way you will hear a lifetime’s stories and songs from a vast career.
Nick has headlined at most Australian blues, folk and jazz festivals including twenty-five times at Port Fairy, and multiple appearances at many others.