CULTURE

Jimmy Charles: From Ocean City to country music stardom

Ben Penserga
The Daily Times

Jimmy Charles took the long way around to perform in Salisbury.

Country music singer Jimmy Charles will play at the Wicomico County Fair on Aug. 18, 2017

The OC native was working in his hometown when he decided to try his hand at music full-time. An appearance on "American Idol" and "Nashville Star" brought Charles added notoriety and a country music career living in "Music City, USA."

Although he now lives in Nashville, Charles spoke to The Daily Times before his performance at the Wicomico County Fair in Salisbury on Aug. 18. 

First, welcome back to the Eastern Shore! It’s always good to have local people who are successful come back to Delmarva.

Its great to be back! I always love coming back to my hometown especially with the band. Its a long, long drive but seeing everyone and feeling the love makes it all worth it!

Back when you first started, did you ever imagine you’d be a headliner back for a major venue on the Shore?

Absolutely, and I don't mean that in an arrogant way at all. When I left my family, friends and my home where I grew up it was the hardest thing I had ever done. I didn't know anyone moving to Nashville and I can tell you it was a true test.

However, when I made up my mind to make the leap I was determined and decided right then I would stop at nothing until I created a successful career for myself. I not only imagined it, I envisioned it, and worked tirelessly until it came true. I can tell you it feels amazing when hard work pays off in making dreams come true!

Headlining the Wicomico County Fair will be another dream come true for me. I couldn't be more excited!

Do you think growing up in Ocean City and the Eastern Shore has given you unique perspective on country music?

Growing up on the Eastern Shore has shaped who I am for many reasons. The songs I write are very honest and true to who I am, so I know they would be different if I grew up somewhere else.

One thing that stands out the most is that I love the beach! I can't go very long without having it! Its my addiction! I play many shows in OC and many other beaches including the Virgin Islands where I filmed "'Bout Summertime."

When I wrote that song I simply remembered my favorite times of growing up in OC and enjoying summer on the beach there.

You’ve served as spokesman for Zero Cancer, an organization that seeks to eliminate prostate cancer and one of your key songs, "Superman," is meant to raise awareness of prostate cancer. How has that affected your career and how you live your own life in general?

There is no song that means more to me than "Superman."

I have been on a three-year nationwide tour as Zero's Spokesman raising awareness and funds to end prostate cancer. I lobbied to senators as part of a summit that increased the national prostate cancer research budget by $10 million.

The song gives me a tool to spread this message and get through to people just how important early detection really is. Throughout my journey, I have embraced so many survivors, listened to their stories and felt their struggle.

Superman is their story and through the tears, I can see just how much my efforts mean to them. It is a dream come true for me to be able to use my talents to give hope and save lives!

Not to mention making my CMT and GAC debut with the video that reached millions.

It is food for my soul to be the voice for these men and I only grow more determined every year. When I look back on my career, when its all said and done, I know the work I've done with Zero will be one I am most proud of: www.zerocancer.org.

You’ve amassed a nice resume for yourself: American Idol, Nashville Star, opening for some major country music acts. What’s next for you?

Well, I just released a new single and music video "'Bout Summertime" that is getting awesome traction!

I am currently working on recording and writing new songs. September is prostate Cancer awareness months so I have six Zero cancer races all in different cities, so my work continues there. I am also planning a big cancer benefit unique to the Virgin Islands hopefully in November.

I may be starting the filming of another music video soon for a very fun song called "Tijuana" and I am continuing to play in Nashville and touring different parts of the country. Full steam ahead, I plan to continue to grow, inspire, and save lives as things get more and more exciting.

For some of your fans who have never been to the area, what’s the one thing you’d recommend they’d do to really get that Ocean City experience?

Theres so much to do in OC but I guess for me Ocean City means taking a boat out on the water and going rockfishing or flounder fishing or maybe offshore. It's breathing in the fresh salt air.

Spending all day on the beach and feeling the sting of summer on your skin later that night. Grab a bushel of crabs with Old Bay and some beers. Get a "real" crab cake. Waterman's and Crabcake Factory are a couple of my favorites.

Hitting some of the local watering holes like Seacrets, Fager's, MRDucks, Buxy's and Bull on the Beach to name a few. And if you want to taste every local brewed beer in the MD, Del, VA region hit up Hopper's Tap House in Salisbury, they got 'em all!

Thank so much for having me. I hope to see everyone at the Wicomico County Fair Friday 7 p.m. for our show followed by fireworks. Please Like my Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc. pages, you can find all on www.jimmycharlesmusic.com and keep sharing the videos! See ya soon, hometown! 

READ MORE: 

The Funsters: Friends rock the beaches on and off stage

Local doo wop radio station takes listeners back to the 50s

IF YOU GO:

What: Jimmy Charles at the Wicomico County Fair

When: Friday, Aug. 18 at 7 p.m.

Where: Winterplace Park, Salisbury

Info: http://www.wicomicocounty.org