Charlie Burton

Charlie Burton is a musical enigma who has been churning out a steady stream of humor-laden, roots-influenced rock & roll since the early '70s. In a more just world, he would be seen as a cult figure of Alex Chilton proportions, and not a country-inflected novelty artist along the lines of Mojo Nixon. Burton was born in Lincoln, NE, in 1950, attending Antioch College in Ohio where he became friends with Ray Benson, later of Asleep At The Wheel, and Ed Ward, the critic who would go on to become the "rock historian" on NPR's Fresh Air. Prompted by Ward, Burton began his career in the music industry as a critic, first as a Rolling Stone contributor, and then as that publication's country music critic. During the early '70s, Burton lived in Ann Arbor, MI, hanging out with the likes of Rob Tyner of Mc5 and attending The Stooges' rehearsal sessions with his pal Steve Mackay, whose saxophone playing is prominently featured on The Stooges' Fun House album.

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