Charlie Peacock (born Charles William Ashworth, August 10, 1956) is an
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer-songwriterA singer–songwriter is a musician who writes, composes and sings their own material including lyrics and melodies. They often provide the sole accompaniment to an entire composition or song, typically using a guitar or piano...
, pianist,
record producerIn the music industry, a record producer has many roles, among them controlling the recording sessions, coaching and guiding the musicians, organizing and scheduling production budget and resources, and supervising the recording, mixing and mastering processes...
,
session musicianSession musicians are instrumental performers or vocalists who are available for hire for live performances or recording sessions, as opposed to musicians who are either permanent members of a musical ensemble or who have acquired fame in their own right as bandleaders...
,
authorAn author is defined both as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created...
, and advocate for
social justiceSocial justice is a notion used to describe a society with a greater degree of economic egalitarianism through progressive taxation, income redistribution, or even property redistribution, policies aimed toward achieving that which developmental economists refer to as equality of opportunity and...
. He is often noted as a unique musical and lyrical voice, intelligent, innovative, and difficult to categorize. His resume includes touring artist, much-recorded songwriter, record producer, record company president, seminary student, jazz pianist, and Sr. A&R consultant to mega-music publisher, Sony/ATV.
Current Projects
Known for his artistic integrity and diversity, Peacock is a sought out mentor to many musicians, producers and storytellers. While he continues to work extensively in the worlds of music and film as a producer and songwriter, as well as a jazz recording artist, Peacock invests most of his time nurturing Nashville's emerging independent artists community—including the pop/rock coalition known as Ten Out Of Tenn (
Erin McCarleyErin McCarley is an alternative music singer-songwriter.McCarley went to college at Baylor University, and now based in Nashville, Tennesee with her husband, Reid Rolls. She has been compared to Sara Bareilles, Regina Spektor, Sheryl Crow, and Vanessa Carlton...
, Andy Davis,
Katie HerzigKatie Herzig is a singer and Grammy award nominated songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee.-Early life:Katie Herzig was born in California to a musical family. When she was one year old her family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado where she attended Rocky Mountain High School...
,
Griffin HouseGriffin House was born and raised in Springfield, Ohio. His father worked in a tire shop and his mother helped place children with foster families. In high school, the athletically-gifted House landed a role in a musical and was surprised to learn that he had a natural talent for singing...
,
Matthew Perryman JonesMatthew Perryman Jones is an American singer-songwriter who currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee.Jones began his career as a singer-songwriter in 1997, playing his first public performances at Eddie's Attic in Decatur, GA...
,
Trent Dabbs,
K.S. Rhoads,
Tyler JamesFor the U.S. musician of the same name, see Tyler James Tyler James is a 26 year old English singer, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England.-Career:...
,
Butterfly BoucherButterfly Boucher is an Australian singer/songwriter.Boucher, born June 2, 1979, is the middle child of seven daughters. The name "Butterfly" was a suggestion from a friend of the family. In later years, Butterfly's sister Becca Boucher had a band, The Mercy Bell, in which Butterfly played bass...
and
Jeremy ListerEnsign Jeremy Lister was a British officer in the 10th Regiment of Foot during the early days of the American Revolution. His journal was later published as Concord fight: Being so much of the narrative of Ensign Jeremy Lister of the 10th Regiment of Foot as pertains to his services on the 19th of...
).
Peacock serves as a producer and the executive producer in charge of music for filmmaker
Jeff Wyatt Wilson's new documentary
Any Day Now, which chronicles the "2008 Ten Out of Tenn Tour." In April 2009, the motion picture was a first runner-up in the 40th Annual
Nashville Film Festival, held annually in Nashville, Tennessee, is the oldest running film festival in the South and one of the oldest in the United States. In 2009, Nashville Film Festival received close to 2000 submissions from 86 countries, programmed nearly 260 films and had an attendance of close to 23,000...
Awards. Any Day Now follows the Ten Out of Tenn collective as it piles into
Willie NelsonWillie Hugh Nelson is an American country singer-songwriter, author, poet, actor and activist. He reached his greatest fame during the outlaw country movement of the 1970s, but remains iconic, especially in American popular culture.He has continued to tour, record and perform in recent years, and...
's old tour bus and makes a 16-city run effectively raising the profile of Nashville's vibrantly creative yet still underground pop/rock community.
Peacock has also taken the helm as music supervisor for the forthcoming independent film
To Save a Life. Directed by
Brian Baugh (
The Ultimate GiftThe Ultimate Gift is a film based on author Jim Stovall's bestselling novel released on March 9, 2007 in 816 theaters. The film was not well attended and produced low box office receipts, though DVD sales were quite high in relation to its theatrical receipts.-Plot:When his rich grandfather, Howard...
,
The Real StoryJack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story is a 2001 American television miniseries. It was directed by Brian Henson and was a co-production of CBS and Jim Henson Television. It is an alternative version of the classic English fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk. The story was considerably reworked...
,
The Lost Medallion), the movie stars
Randy WayneRandy Wayne Randy Wayne Frederick is an American actor based in Hollywood.He first found 15 seconds of fame by appearing in UK reality-TV show Shipwrecked in 2002, standing out from the crowd as one of the few American contestants amongst a predominantly British group...
(
The Dukes of Hazzard: The BeginningThe Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning is a prequel to the 2005 theatrical-release film The Dukes of Hazzard. An edited version of the film debuted on the ABC Family cable television channel on March 4, 2007. 'R'-rated and unrated versions were released on DVD March 13.- Plot :Bo Duke is arrested for...
,
Foreign Exchange,
The Last Hurrah),
Deja Kreutzberg (CSI Miami,
Law and OrderLaw and Order may refer to:*Law and order , a term common in political debate and discussion, generally indicating support of a strict criminal justice system*Law and Order Offensive Party, a minor German political party...
, Hope and Faith), and
Kim Hidalgo (
Ball Don't LieBall Don't Lie is a feature film directed by Brin Hill. It is an adaptation of the novel of the same name, written by Matt de la Peña. It stars AND1 Mixtape team member Grayson Boucher, a.k.a. The Professor...
,
Jimmy Kimmel LiveJimmy Kimmel Live! is an American late-night talk show, created and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and broadcast on ABC.The nightly hour-long show made its debut on January 26, 2003, following Super Bowl XXXVII. Jimmy Kimmel Live! is produced by Jackhole Productions in association with ABC Studios...
,
ScrubsScrubs is an American comedy-drama created in 2001 by Bill Lawrence and produced currently by ABC Studios. The show follows the lives of several employees of Sacred Heart, a teaching hospital. It features fast-paced dialogue, slapstick, and surreal vignettes presented mostly as the daydreams of the...
). Filmed in Oceanside, California, To Save a Life is a New Song Pictures production set for a fall 2009 release.
A long-time advocate for social justice, Peacock continues to work directly with
DATADebt, AIDS, Trade in Africa is a multinational non-government organization founded in January 2002 in London by U2's Bono along with Bobby Shriver and activists from the Jubilee 2000 Drop the Debt campaign....
and The ONE Campaign, a fruitful relationship that began in 2002 when he hosted co-founder
BonoPaul David Hewson, KBE , most commonly known by his stage name Bono, is an Irish singer and musician, best known for being the main vocalist of the Dublin-based rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his future wife,...
and, later, ONE President
David Lane, putting them in front of Nashville's artist community.
Peacock's most recent album is the improvisational duo recording he made with new
Dave Matthews BandDave Matthews Band, sometimes shortened to DMB, is an American band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. Founding members include singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, violinist Boyd Tinsley, and drummer Carter Beauford. Founding-member saxophonist LeRoi...
saxophonist,
Jeff CoffinJeff Coffin is a multiple Grammy Award-winning American jazz and alternative rock musician best known as the current saxophonist for Béla Fleck and the Flecktones and Dave Matthews Band...
. Titled
Arc of the Circle, the album peaked at No. 2 on the CMJ Jazz Charts in 2008. Peacock recently began production on his third jazz album, which is set to feature Coffin again, as well as longtime cohort Tony Miracle (of electronica group Venus Hum), Icelandic guitarist Hilmar Jensson, bassist Felix Pastorius, and drummer Ben Perowsky.
Early life and music
Peacock was born in
Yuba CityYuba City is a Northern California city, founded in 1849. It is the county seat of Sutter County, California, United States.As of 2006, Yuba City had an estimated total population of 60,360....
,
CaliforniaCalifornia is the most populous state in the United States, and the third largest by area. California is the second most populous sub-national entity in the Americas, behind only São Paulo, Brazil...
to Bill and Alice Ashworth, a trumpeter/educator and homemaker, respectively. His paternal family, the Ashworths and Baggetts originate from western Louisiana, the area once known as the
Sabine Free StateThe Sabine Free State, also known as the Neutral Ground, Neutral Strip, Neutral Territory, and No Man's Land of Louisiana was a disputed area between Spanish Texas and the United States' newly acquired Louisiana Purchase. Spain and the United States agreed to leave the Sabine Free State temporarily...
. Also called "No Man's Land," this part of central and southwestern
LouisianaThe State of Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state divided into parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
was settled in part by a mixed-race people known as Redbones (see
Redbone (ethnicity)Redbone is a term historically used in much of the southern United States. It had various meanings according to locality, all implying race mixture or miscegenation. The term's origin is unknown...
) to which Peacock and his "Ashworth" family are direct descendants. Peacock's maternal family, the Williamsons and Millers originate from Oklahoma. All four families migrated west to California during the
Great DepressionThe Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. By age 13, Peacock was composing instrumental and vocal music. During Jr. and Sr. High Peacock received instrumental and theory instruction from his father and local educator, Dean Estabrook. Peacock, then known as Chuck Ashworth, left Yuba City High School after his junior year at the age of 16. He married his high school sweetheart (Andrea Berrier) at 18 and began his professional music career (after one semester at the
California State University, SacramentoCalifornia State University, Sacramento is a public university located in the city of Sacramento, California. It is part of the California State University system...
, where he was befriended by the late
Frank KofskyFrank Kofsky was an American Marxist historian, author, and Professor of History at California State University, Sacramento, from 1969 until his death. A musician himself, Kofsky also wrote several books on jazz, mainly concentrating on the avant-garde of the 1960s and the relationship between...
, author, drummer, jazz columnist and former editor of Jazz and Pop magazine). Peacock quickly dropped out of college to play jazz piano and join Northern California touring band, The Runners. In 1978, Peacock was discovered by visual artist/songwriter Stephen Holsapple (
Bonnie RaittBonnie Lynn Raitt is an American blues singer-songwriter, born in Burbank, California. During the 1970s, Raitt released a series of acclaimed roots-influenced albums which incorporated elements of blues, rock, folk and country, but she is perhaps best known for her more commercially accessible...
,
Dave MasonDavid Thomas Mason is an English musician, singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Worcester, who first found fame with the rock band Traffic. In his long career, Mason has played and recorded with many of the era's most notable musicians, including Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson, The Rolling...
). Holsapple, then an engineer at David Houston's Moon Studios in Sacramento, began recording Peacock's vocal compositions free of charge and eventually co-wrote with Peacock for several years. Holsapple arranged a weekly gig for Peacock at the art/political watering hole, Maurice's American Bar. It was there that Peacock changed to a stage name and began to experiment with combining his love for jazz with singer-songwriter pop. Early songs included "Springtime In Israel" and "So Attractive." Thanks to Tower Records employee, Jeff Viducich, the latter song was Peacock's first placement with a music publisher, a company owned by songwriting legends,
Boyce and HartTommy Boyce and Bobby Hart were a prolific songwriting duo, best known for the songs they wrote for The Monkees.Hart's father was a church minister...
. Legendary vocalist/songwriter
Sal ValentinoSal Valentino is an American rock musician, singer and songwriter, best known as lead singer of The Beau Brummels, subsequently becoming a songwriter as well. The band released a pair of top 20 U.S...
(
The Beau BrummelsThe Beau Brummels were an American pop rock band, formed in San Francisco in 1964. The band's original lineup included Sal Valentino , Ron Elliott , Ron Meagher , Declan Mulligan , and John Petersen...
, Stoneground) caught Peacock's set at Maurice's and asked him to join his touring band. Shortly thereafter, Valentino, hot on the success of discovering
Rickie Lee JonesRickie Lee Jones is an American vocalist, musician, songwriter, and producer from the United States. Over the course of a three-decade career, Jones has recorded in various musical styles including rock, R&B, blues, pop, soul, and jazz standards.- Background :Born in Chicago, Jones grew up in a...
, began to shop Peacock's music to his Los Angeles A&R friends.
A&M RecordsA&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group which operates through the Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
took notice, and in 1980 David Kershenbaum signed Peacock to a demo deal putting him in David Rubinson's San Francisco studio, The Automatt, with producer
David KahneDavid Kahne is an American record producer. Kahne is notable for his role as in-house producer and engineer at 415 Records, the first American New Wave label, and for his subsequent roles as Vice President of A&R at Columbia Records and Warner Bros. Records. He produced MTV Unplugged: Tony...
. A&M passed on signing Peacock but Kahne and Rubinson remained interested. With Kahne producing, Rubinson funded another set of demos featuring
Mark IshamMark Isham is an American trumpeter, synthesist, and Academy Award-nominated film composer. He works in a variety of genres, including jazz, electronic, and film.- Career:...
and
Vicki RandleVicki Randle is an American singer, multi-instrumentalist and composer, known as the first female member of the Tonight Show Band, starting with host Jay Leno in 1992...
. Unfortunately, by this time, Peacock's drug and alcohol abuse was in full bloom. The songs would not be completed until after Peacock began recovery in the early 1980s.
The Charlie Peacock Group
Clean and sober by 1981, Peacock renewed his efforts to sign with a major label. During this time he formed a band, aptly named The Charlie Peacock Group, which soon became a favorite among northern California concert-goers and club audiences. The band was composed of Erik Kleven (bass), Jim Caselli (drums), Darius Babazadeh (tenor saxophone), and the filmmaker/guitarist,
Mark HerzigMark Herzig is a cinematographer known for his award winning shorts and celebrated features, touted for their industrial and frank depiction of life. Mark's work has been filmed and screened throughout the world. He is also an acclaimed professor of the cinematic arts and the Director of the Short...
. Peacock continued to record solo with
David KahneDavid Kahne is an American record producer. Kahne is notable for his role as in-house producer and engineer at 415 Records, the first American New Wave label, and for his subsequent roles as Vice President of A&R at Columbia Records and Warner Bros. Records. He produced MTV Unplugged: Tony...
at the Automatt (with Rubinson's blessing) and with the band at Moon Studios under the direction of Stephen Holsapple. The only commercially available recordings of this era are collectively known as "Last Vestiges of Honor" (released on CD in 1998, digitally in 2005). A 12" single, released in Japan and California only (via
Tower RecordsTower Records is a retail music chain that was based in Sacramento, California, USA. It currently exists as an international franchise and an online music store....
), is out of print.
From Spiritual Awakening to Conversion
In April 1982 Peacock's 12 step recovery group "spiritual awakening" gave birth to a full-blown belief in the person and mission of Jesus Christ. According to Peacock's own published writings, he was introduced to a fresh reading of the Jesus narrative by Sacramento saxophonist, Michael Butera, a friend of producer
David KahneDavid Kahne is an American record producer. Kahne is notable for his role as in-house producer and engineer at 415 Records, the first American New Wave label, and for his subsequent roles as Vice President of A&R at Columbia Records and Warner Bros. Records. He produced MTV Unplugged: Tony...
. Butera introduced Peacock to a group of Christians affiliated with
Chuck Smith (pastor)Charles Ward “Chuck” Smith, born , is the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. He is widely credited as founding Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, though he was the second pastor. Smith was born in Ventura, California to Charles and Maude Smith. His wife, Kay, directs Costa Mesa's women's ministry...
and
Calvary ChapelCalvary Chapel, a non-denominational, Evangelical fellowship of Christian churches, began in 1965 in Southern California. It presents itself as a "fellowship of churches" in contrast to a denomination. Churches that apply and qualify for affiliation through an extensive and thorough application...
. Peacock began studying the Bible in earnest. Several Christians affiliated with the group encouraged Peacock to leave "secular" music and focus on "music ministry." Peacock was confused, felt co-opted by fellow Christians, and ultimately looked to the writings of American/Swiss theologian
Francis SchaefferFrancis August Schaeffer was an American Evangelical Christian theologian, philosopher, and Presbyterian pastor. He is most famous for his writings and his establishment of the L'Abri community in Switzerland...
for clarity. Schaeffer's book, "Art and the Bible" was life-breath to Peacock confirming his spiritual intuition that these new, well-meaning Christian friends were giving him non-biblical advice. During this time, a painter/guitarist named
Jimmy AbeggJimmy Abegg aka Jimmy A, is a guitarist, composer, director, photographer and artist, currently living in Nashville, Tennessee....
, began showing up at Peacock's club gigs. Abegg was decidedly more open in his thinking about art and offered to introduce Peacock to other like-minded Christians, such as Mary Neely, producer of the nationally syndicated radio program
Rock & Religion Radio ShowRock & Religion was a syndicated radio program based in Sacramento, California, USA. The program began in 1977 and ran through 1981. The show was produced by Mary Neely, and hosted by Neely, and singer Michael Roe. Although it is not currently being broadcast, recordings and original promotional...
(a.k.a. Rock Scope). The show, which focused on spiritual themes in rock music, featured music and interviews from artists like
Bob DylanBob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet and painter who has been a major figure in popular music for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was, at first, an informal chronicler and then an apparently reluctant figurehead of social unrest...
,
The Rolling StonesThe Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in 1962 in London when multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones and pianist Ian Stewart were joined by vocalist Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards. Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early lineup...
,
Roger McGuinnJames Roger McGuinn is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for being the lead singer and lead guitarist on many of The Byrds' records...
of
The ByrdsThe Byrds were an American rock and roll band. Formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964, The Byrds underwent several personnel changes, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973....
,
The WhoThe Who are an English rock band formed in 1964. The primary lineup consisted of guitarist Pete Townshend, vocalist Roger Daltrey, bassist John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They became known for energetic live performances including the pioneering spectacle of instrument destruction...
,
Joe EnglishJoe English is an American musician who, during the 1970s, played drums in Paul McCartney's band Wings and in the Southern Rock/Jazz group Sea Level, among others....
of Paul McCartney's Wings,
T-Bone BurnettJoseph Henry "T-Bone" Burnett is an American songwriter, musician and producer. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in Fort Worth, Texas....
&
The Alpha BandThe Alpha Band was a rock band formed in July 1976 from the remnants of Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue. Band members were T-Bone Burnett , Steven Soles, and David Mansfield, plus sidemen who differed from record to record and included: David Kemper ; gospel great Andrae...
,
Jerry GarciaJerome John "Jerry" Garcia was an American musician best known for his work with the band the Grateful Dead...
and many others. Other notable artist/thinkers in Neely's circle included,
Steve Turner (writer)Steve Turner is an English music journalist, biographer and poet. His first published article was in the Beatles Monthly in 1969. He was features editor of Beat Instrumental 1971-1973 and subsequently freelanced for music papers including NME, Melody Maker and Rolling Stone...
, Davin Seay,
Steve Scott (poet)Steve Scott is a poet, spoken word artist, and musician. His written work was published by PRIZM Magazine, Radix Magazine, Monolith:UK publications and STRIDE UK publications...
, and
Michael RoeMichael Roe is an American record producer, songwriter, guitarist and singer.-Career:Although he has released several solo albums since the mid-1990s, Roe is primarily known as the lead singer and lead guitarist for the rock band The 77s...
.
The Exit Years: A&M Records, Island Records, CBS Songs, Bill Graham Mgmt.
Mary Neely developed a production imprint named Exit to which she signed Charlie Peacock, The 77s, Vector, Steve Scott, and others. Peacock, under contract to Exit since early 1983 produced recordings by
The 77sThe 77s are an American rock band consisting of Michael Roe on vocals/guitar, Mark Harmon on bass, and Bruce Spencer on drums.-Savage Young Scratch Band:...
and Steve Scott, as well as his own debut solo album in 1984, "Lie Down In The Grass." Peacock's solo album was initially distributed by Word Records for a short time before being rereleased on
A&M RecordsA&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group which operates through the Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
. The A&M version exchanges two of the original tracks with two new tracks produced by Missing Persons keyboardist, Chuck Wild. In late 1984 Peacock was signed to FBI (Frontier Booking International) by John Huie and
Ian CopelandIan Adie Copeland was a pioneering American music promoter and booking agent who helped launch the New Wave movement in the United States....
, and immediately put on the road with
The FixxThe Fixx are an English New Wave band. They are one of the few such bands to have enjoyed significant success outside their country of origin while remaining almost unknown in their home land. The band is best known for their song "One Thing Leads to Another", from their most successful album...
,
Let's ActiveLet's Active was a jangle pop band based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The principal songwriter and sole continuous member was Mitch Easter, who kept the band active through most of the 1980s. Although critically praised, Let's Active had limited commercial success and are mostly known because...
, and
General PublicGeneral Public was a rock band, formed by The Beat vocalists Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger.-Career:After the 1983 break-up of The Beat , Wakeling and Roger decided to continue working together in a new venture...
. In 1985 Peacock signed with music publisher CBS Songs and Bill Graham Management. He continued to tour as a CMJ level act, opening for General Public, Missing Persons, and
Red Hot Chili PeppersRed Hot Chili Peppers is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1983. For most of the band's existence, the members have been vocalist Anthony Kiedis, guitarist John Frusciante, bassist Michael "Flea" Balzary, and drummer Chad Smith...
, among others. Unhappy with A&M's distribution, Neely moved Peacock and The 77s to Island Records. Peacock was signed to Island by
Chris BlackwellChris Blackwell is the founder of Island Records. Born in London to an Irish father and a Costa Rican-born Sephardic Jewish mother. Blackwell spent his childhood in Jamaica. He was sent to England to continue his education at Harrow School. Deciding not to go to university, he returned to...
and Lou Maglia, who flew to Sacramento to hear Peacock showcase in the warehouse auditorium of the church he attended, aptly named Warehouse Ministries. Peacock recorded the self-titled album in Sacramento and Leatherhead, England at Surrey Sound with producer Nigel Gray (
The PoliceThe Police were an English rock trio, from London, England, formed originally in 1977. The trio consisted of Gordon Sumner, CBE , widely known by his stage name of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
) and co-producer and friend,
Brent BourgeoisBrent Thomas Bourgeois is an American rock musician, songwriter, and producer. He was co-leader of the band Bourgeois Tagg with Larry Tagg, and has released several solo albums...
. Musicians for the sessions included
Randy JacksonRandall Darius "Randy" Jackson is an American bassist, singer, record producer, music manager, and former A&R executive. He is best known as a judge on American Idol and Executive Producer for MTV's America's Best Dance Crew...
,
Michael UrbanoMichael Urbano is a studio drummer, band member, programmer, and record producer.He is best known for being drummer for alternative rock group Smash Mouth...
, and
Lyle WorkmanLyle Workman is an American guitarist, composer and music producer. His music has been widely distributed since his debut on the eponymous Bourgeois Tagg album in 1986, and is currently best known for his work as composer and bandleader for the Superbad soundtrack.Workman is also credited as...
. The album was released in 1986. Apart from regional support, and despite critical acclaim, the recording sold very little and no national tours were offered to Peacock. Both Peacock and Island Records were unsure about moving forward. Peacock and band continued to play Northern California clubs and theatres. During this same period Peacock returned to playing jazz in a trio format and with an electric improvisational group called, Emperor Norton. The group included friends,
Brent BourgeoisBrent Thomas Bourgeois is an American rock musician, songwriter, and producer. He was co-leader of the band Bourgeois Tagg with Larry Tagg, and has released several solo albums...
, Larry Tagg, Bongo Bob Smith, Henry Robinett, and
Aaron SmithAaron "The A-Train" Smith is a Nashville-based drummer and percussionist.At the age of 21, Aaron Smith played drums on The Temptations' megahit...
. In late 1987 Peacock broke with Bill Graham Management and was handled for a short time by SBK associate, Arma Andon. By this time CBS Songs had been sold to SBK and Peacock remained a contracted writer with the publishing company. In addition to Doug Minnick (who signed Peacock to CBS), attorney Fred Davis shopped new music to various labels. Despite showcasing for industry heavies like
Ahmet ErtegünAhmet Ertegun was the Turkish American co-founder and executive of Atlantic Records and chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and museum, described as "one of the most significant figures in the modern recording industry"...
and Ron Alexenberg, by 1988 Peacock was released from Island and without a record deal. Undaunted, Peacock joined with friends
Jimmy AbeggJimmy Abegg aka Jimmy A, is a guitarist, composer, director, photographer and artist, currently living in Nashville, Tennessee....
and Vince Ebo to form an acoustic trio. With Abegg's help, Peacock began releasing an indie-level three cassette series titled West Coast Diaries. The acoustic approach proved to be successful and the trio toured the USA and Europe. In 1989, Peacock and Abegg broke ranks with the Exit production company and moved to
NashvilleNashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is the second most populous city in the state after Memphis. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state...
,
TennesseeTennessee is a state located in the Southeastern United States. According to the 2008 census, it has a population of 6,214,888, an increase of nearly 9.5% since 2000. Tennessee is the 14th fastest growing state in the US and is ranked 17th by population. It is ranked 36th by total land area. In...
.
The Gospel/Christian Music Years
In 1987, producer
Jack Joseph PuigJack Joseph Puig is a Grammy Award-winning music engineer and producer with a long track record of successful productions, beginning with the early 1990s production of Tonic...
and Word A&R director
Lynn NicholsLynn Arthur Nichols is an American songwriter, producer, and musician from NY who now resides in Nashville, Tennessee.In 1977, Nichols was a member of the Phil Keaggy Band, with Phil Madeira, Terry Andersen and Dan Cunningham. The band released one album together, entitled Emerging ...
recorded a Peacock song ("Down In The Lowlands") on the contemporary Christian artist,
Russ TaffRuss Taff is an American gospel singer who is originally from Farmersville, California. Taff later then moved to Arkansas where he graduated from Cutter-Morning Star High School in Hot Springs, Arkansas....
. Peacock sang background vocals on the song. That same year Peacock produced the alternative Christian band,
The ChoirThe Choir is an atmospheric Christian alternative rock band, led by Derri Daugherty on guitar and vocals, Steve Hindalong on drums—who also writes most of the band's lyrics—as well as Tim Chandler on bass, Dan Michaels on lyricon, electric flute, didgeridoo and saxophone and Marc Byrd on guitar,...
. This was Peacock's first up-close encounter with the Christian music industry (apart from meeting several prominent artists via his affiliation with Mary Neely (e.g.
Steve TaylorRoland Stephen Taylor , is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and film director.-Early life:Taylor, the eldest of three children, was born in Brawley, California. Taylor's father, Roland Taylor, was a Baptist minister. When Taylor was six years old, the family relocated to Northglenn,...
, Mylon Le Fevre,
Philip BaileyPhilip Bailey is an American R&B, soul, gospel and funk singer, songwriter, percussionist & actor best known as one of the longtime members of Earth, Wind & Fire. Together with Verdine White, B...
,
Randy StonehillRandy Stonehill is an American singer/songwriter from Stockton, California, best known as one of the so-called "fathers of contemporary Christian music." His music is primarily folk rock in the style of James Taylor, but he has assayed other styles, with various albums focused on new wave, pop...
). As a result of these encounters word traveled to Sparrow Records A&R Director, Peter York that Peacock was interested in more production work. Earlier, in the Fall of 1984, while touring with
Mitch EasterMitch Easter is a songwriter, musician, and producer. As a producer, he is probably best known for his work with R.E.M. from 1981 through 1984, though he has also worked with many other acts including The Hang Ups, Pavement, Suzanne Vega, Game Theory, Marshall Crenshaw, and Velvet Crush.As a...
and his band,
Let's ActiveLet's Active was a jangle pop band based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The principal songwriter and sole continuous member was Mitch Easter, who kept the band active through most of the 1980s. Although critically praised, Let's Active had limited commercial success and are mostly known because...
, Peacock met music manager/promoter Dan Russell at the Paradise Lounge in Boston. At some point, Russell had counseled a young east coast artist,
Margaret BeckerMargaret Becker is an American Christian rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter. She has had fourteen #1 Christian radio hits, won three Dove Awards, and been nominated for four Grammy Awards.-Biography:...
that she should work with Peacock, should the opportunity ever arise. Fast forward to 1988, and Becker is a recording artist with the Billy Ray Hearn founded label,
Sparrow RecordsSparrow Records is a popular Christian music record label; a division of EMI. Sparrow Records was founded in 1976 by Billy Ray Hearn, then A&R director at Myrrh Records. Purchased by EMI in 1992, it is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group, and has been named by Billboard Magazine as "America's...
. Becker tells Peter York that she'd like to have Peacock produce her next record. York put Becker and Peacock together to write early in the Fall of 1988. They recorded the record "Immigrant's Daughter" in Sausalito, CA using most of the Island Records act, Bourgeois-Tagg supplemented with Peacock guitarist
Jimmy AbeggJimmy Abegg aka Jimmy A, is a guitarist, composer, director, photographer and artist, currently living in Nashville, Tennessee....
and Bay Area backing vocalists, Vince Ebo, Annie Stocking, and Jeannie Tracy. The album doubled Becker's sales and was nominated for a Grammy award (Best Rock Gospel). On the strength of this beginning and encouragement from
Amy GrantAmy Lee Grant is an American singer-songwriter, author, media personality and occasional actress, best known for her contemporary Christian music. Grant was born in Augusta, Georgia....
manager Michael Blanton, Peacock and Abegg moved to Nashville in the Summer of 1989. After seeing Peacock perform at The Wild Blue, a club in Fresno, CA, Bill Hearn (Jr.) and Peter York signed him to a recording contract with Sparrow Records. The iconic gospel producer,
Brown BannisterBrown Bannister is a CCM producer and songwriter. Bannister released one album of his own, Talk to One Another, in 1981 on NewPax Records, but is better known for his work in production and engineering. He formed his own independent label, Vireo Records, in 1991...
agreed to produce Peacock's first full foray into contemporary Christian music. The ensuing recording, "The Secret of Time" was nominated for a
Grammy AwardThe Grammy Awards —or Grammys—are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States for outstanding achievements in the music industry...
in 1990 (Best Rock Gospel). Peacock's early association with Brown Bannister led to production and session musician work on gospel legends,
Al GreenAlbert Greene , better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer who was popular in the 1970s, and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.-Early years:...
,
Twila ParisTwila Paris Wright is a Contemporary Christian Music songwriter, author, vocalist and pianist.-Musical career:...
, and
Amy GrantAmy Lee Grant is an American singer-songwriter, author, media personality and occasional actress, best known for her contemporary Christian music. Grant was born in Augusta, Georgia....
(Peacock co-wrote the smash hit
Every Heartbeat"Every Heartbeat" is a 1991 single by Christian music singer Amy Grant. It was released as the third single from the Heart In Motion album, though it was the second from the album to be released to mainstream pop radio...
and played keyboards on the 5 Million-selling album
Heart In MotionHeart in Motion is the twelfth album by Christian pop singer Amy Grant, released in 1991 .In contrast with its predecessor, the natural-sounding Lead Me On, Heart In Motion consisted of songs that were heavy in the style of mainstream music of the time...
). From 1990-99 Peacock produced over fifty albums in the genre of contemporary Christian music and gospel. Though highly successful, Peacock was never comfortable with branding people and music as "Christian artist" or "Christian music." By 1996 Peacock was dreaming of tangible ways to undo the genre of contemporary Christian music. He formed a new record company, re:think (
EMIThe EMI Group is a British music company. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major publishing arm- EMI Music Publishing- based in New York City...
/
SparrowTrue sparrows, the Old World sparrows in the family Passeridae, are small passerine birds. As eight or more species nest in or near buildings, and the House Sparrow and Eurasian Tree Sparrow in particular inhabit cities in large numbers, sparrows may be the most familiar of all wild...
) and signed and developed two significant artists,
Sarah MasenSarah Masen is a singer/songwriter originally from the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, but has for several years lived in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, author David Dark, and their three children. Initially signed to Charlie Peacock's re:think label, and subsequently to Word, she is now...
and
SwitchfootSwitchfoot is an alternative rock band from San Diego, California. The band's members are Jon Foreman , Tim Foreman , Chad Butler , Jerome Fontamillas , and Drew Shirley .They are known for their energetic live shows , the three guitarists in the line-up often operate...
. The idea being that these artists, though professing Christians, would be promoted to mainstream pop and Christian markets simultaneously, thereby attempting to break what had come to be known as the crossover model. Both artists experienced great success, especially the modern rock band,
SwitchfootSwitchfoot is an alternative rock band from San Diego, California. The band's members are Jon Foreman , Tim Foreman , Chad Butler , Jerome Fontamillas , and Drew Shirley .They are known for their energetic live shows , the three guitarists in the line-up often operate...
. Their fourth album,
The Beautiful LetdownThe Beautiful Letdown is the fourth studio album by alternative rock band Switchfoot. Released in early 2003, it launched the band into the mainstream limelight on the strength of two top 20 singles: "Meant to Live" and "Dare You to Move" . "This Is Your Life" was also released to mainstream...
marketed by
Columbia RecordsColumbia Records is an American record label founded in 1888.Columbia is the oldest surviving brand name in pre-recorded sound, being the first record company to produce pre-recorded records as opposed to blank cylinders. Columbia Records went on to release records by an array of notable singers,...
sold over 2.6 million copies and yielded three Top-40 singles (including Peacock's coproduction of "
Dare You to Move"Dare You to Move" is a single by the rock band Switchfoot from the Double-Platinum selling album The Beautiful Letdown. It rode the Top 40 radio charts, and its accompanying music videos received considerable play on MTV, VH1, FUSE TV, and other mainstream channels. It peaked at No. 17 on the U.S....
"). At the encouragement of author and sports television pioneer, Bob Briner, Peacock wrote and published a critical analysis of the genre of
contemporary Christian musicContemporary Christian music is a genre of popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
. This book, At The Crossroads was published by Broadman & Holman in 1999. In 2004,
Random HouseRandom House, Inc. is the world's largest English-language general trade book publisher. It has been owned since 1998 by the large German private media corporation Bertelsmann and has become the umbrella brand for Bertelsmann book publishing...
printed a revised and expanded edition. Peacock's own words from the new Preface represent the most current summation of his thoughts on the genre of contemporary Christian music:
Sacramento Jazz - Late 1970s
Beginning in 1976, at age 19, Peacock began playing jazz and various forms of improvisational music professionally in the Sacramento area. Beginning with bassist Gerry Pineda, Peacock collaborated with bassist Erik Kleven, guitarist Robert Kuhlman, drummers Scott Usedom, Jimmy Griego and
Aaron SmithAaron "The A-Train" Smith is a Nashville-based drummer and percussionist.At the age of 21, Aaron Smith played drums on The Temptations' megahit...
, trumpeters Tom Peron and Larry Lunetta, saxophonist's Darius Babazadeh, Mike Butera, and Joe Espinoza, bassist Alphonza Kee (brother of gospel great
John P. KeePastor John P. Kee is an American gospel singer and pastor-Early life:John P. Kee was born the 15th out of 16 children in Durham, North Carolina. At an early age he began to develop his musical talent both instrumentally and vocally...
), percussionist Bongo Bob Smith, guitarist Henry Robinett (cousin of
Charles MingusCharles Mingus, Jr. was an American jazz bassist, composer, bandleader, and pianist. He was also known for his activism against racial injustice....
) and many others of his generation. Peacock was befriended by author/scholar/drummer
Frank KofskyFrank Kofsky was an American Marxist historian, author, and Professor of History at California State University, Sacramento, from 1969 until his death. A musician himself, Kofsky also wrote several books on jazz, mainly concentrating on the avant-garde of the 1960s and the relationship between...
at
California State UniversityThe California State University is one of three public higher education systems in the state of California, the other two being the University of California system and the California Community College system. It is incorporated as The Trustees of the California State University...
at Sacramento. Kofsky gave a positive mention of Peacock in his
San Francisco Chroniclethumb|right|The Chronicle Building following the [[1906 San Francisco earthquake|1906 earthquake]] and fireSan Francisco Chronicle is Northern California's largest newspaper, and one of the largest in the United States, serving primarily the San Francisco Bay Area, but distributed throughout...
column in 1976, and often let Peacock tag along to meet and interview the greats of jazz, usually at the famed Keystone Korner in San Francisco, or in the case of
Andrew HillAndrew Hill was an American jazz pianist and composer.Hill is recognized as one of the most important progenitors of Free jazz piano, though he is considered more mainstream jazz than Cecil Taylor, two years his senior.The body of work he is most lauded for was recorded for Blue Note Records,...
, at the artist's home. Peacock recalled the meeting this way:
Peacock honored the late Dr.
Frank KofskyFrank Kofsky was an American Marxist historian, author, and Professor of History at California State University, Sacramento, from 1969 until his death. A musician himself, Kofsky also wrote several books on jazz, mainly concentrating on the avant-garde of the 1960s and the relationship between...
in his composition, "Frank the Marxist Memorial Gong Blues" heard on the Charlie Peacock CD, Love Press Ex-Curio (2005).
John Coltrane - His Music and Spirituality
Coltrane, as a musician and spiritual seeker has been an inspiration to Peacock since his youth. In his book, "New Way To Be Human" Peacock describes what it was like to be 15 and inspired by Coltrane:
Peacock is the author A Love Supreme: The Spiritual Life of John Coltrane, a 60 minute PowerPoint presentation on Coltrane's ad hoc spiritual journey. It was first presented at the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. Students from the school performed Coltrane compositions before and after. An article written by Peacock on the subject of Coltrane's spirituality may be found at http://www.lowercasepeople.com/index.php?theIssue=1&theSection=words&theSubSection=feature
Love Press Ex-Curio
In 2005 Peacock released his first commercial jazz/improvisational music CD titled Love Press Ex-Curio, short for Loves Pressure Exhibits Curiosity. The following are excerpts from the official Runway Network/RED bio, written by noted jazz journalist, Bill Milkowski:
Charlie Peacock is also a lifelong fan of
jazzJazz is a musical art form which originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States from a confluence of African and European music traditions....
and improvised music whose earliest influences include such jazz legends as
John ColtraneJohn William "Trane" Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer.Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes in jazz and later was at the forefront of free jazz...
,
Miles DavisMiles Davis III was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer.Widely considered one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music including cool jazz, hard bop, free jazz...
,
Herbie HancockHerbert Jeffrey "Herbie" Hancock is an American jazz pianist and composer. He is regarded as one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century. His music embraces elements of funk and soul while adopting freer stylistic elements from jazz...
,
Keith JarrettKeith Jarrett is an American pianist, composer, and jazz icon.His career started with Art Blakey, soon moving on to play with Charles Lloyd then Miles Davis. Since the early 1970s he has enjoyed a great deal of success in both classical music and jazz, as a group leader and a solo performer...
,
Bill EvansWilliam John Evans was an American jazz pianist. His use of impressionist harmony, inventive interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, and trademark rhythmically independent, "singing" melodic lines influenced a generation of pianists, including Herbie Hancock, John Taylor, Steve Kuhn, Don...
,
Carla BleyCarla Bley, née Borg, is an American jazz composer, pianist, organist and band leader. An important figure in the Free Jazz movement of the 1960s, she is perhaps best known for her jazz opera Escalator Over The Hill , as well as a book of compositions that have been performed by many other...
, and
Andrew HillAndrew Hill was an American jazz pianist and composer.Hill is recognized as one of the most important progenitors of Free jazz piano, though he is considered more mainstream jazz than Cecil Taylor, two years his senior.The body of work he is most lauded for was recorded for Blue Note Records,...
. While Peacock has consistently pushed the boundaries of pop and gospel music by adding elements of alternative rock, dance music and jazz, he has never before delved into jazz as unabashedly and wholeheartedly as he does on Love Press Ex-Curio. Joining the Grammy Award-winning producer on this cutting edge outing is an all-star crew of heavyweight improvisers and jazz luminaries, including trumpeter
Ralph AlessiRalph Alessi is a jazz trumpeter and composer originally from San Rafael, California, probably better known for being a member of bands led by saxophonist Steve Coleman. He has also performed with a host of others musicians, including Uri Caine, Ravi Coltrane, Fred Hersch and Don Byron, among others...
, saxophonists
Kirk WhalumKirk Whalum is an American smooth jazz saxophonist and songwriter. He toured as Whitney Houston's opening act for several years. Whalum has also recorded a series of well received solo albums and film soundtracks, with music ranging from pop to R&B to smooth jazz...
,
Jeff CoffinJeff Coffin is a multiple Grammy Award-winning American jazz and alternative rock musician best known as the current saxophonist for Béla Fleck and the Flecktones and Dave Matthews Band...
(of the Flecktones) and
Ravi ColtraneRavi Coltrane is an American post-bop jazz saxophonist. Co-owner of the record label RKM Music, he has produced artists such as pianist Luis Perdomo, guitarist David Gilmore and trumpeter Ralph Alessi.-Biography:...
, bassists
Victor WootenVictor Lemonte Wooten is an American bass player, composer and author.Wooten has won the "Bass Player of the Year" award from Bass Player magazine three times in a row, and was the first person to win the award more than once...
and James Genus, guitarist
Kurt RosenwinkelKurt Rosenwinkel is an American jazz guitarist who came to prominence in the 1990s. He is known for his distinct sound and style of improvisation that is influenced by artists as diverse as Allan Holdsworth, George Van Eps, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Bud Powell, Elmo Hope and The Notorious...
and drummer
Joey BaronJoey Baron is an American avant-garde jazz drummer probably best known for his work with Bill Frisell, Stan Getz, Steve Kuhn, and John Zorn in Naked City...
. Also on board for the sessions, which took place in
NashvilleNashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is the second most populous city in the state after Memphis. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state...
and
New YorkNew York is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous. The state is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, are drummer Jim White, Bay Area sonic manipulators Myles Boisen and
Gino RobairGino Robair is an American composer, improvisor, drummer, and percussionist. In his own work , he plays prepared/modified percussion, analog synthesizer, ebow and prepared piano, theremin, and bowed objects...
, guitarist and loopmeister Jerry McPherson, electronica mavens Tony Miracle and Kip Kubin of the group
Venus HumVenus Hum is an electronic pop music group from Nashville, Tennessee, consisting of vocalist Annette Strean and multi-instrumentalists Kip Kubin and Tony Miracle. Miracle has a rare heart condition which results in perpetually hearing his own heartbeat in his ears...
, and
Tower of PowerTower of Power is an American soul and funk based horn section and band, originating from Oakland, California. For over 40 years.-History:In the mid-1960s, 17-year-old tenor saxophonist Emilio Castillo moved from Detroit, Michigan to Fremont, California. He started a band called 'The Gotham City...
Hammond B-3 organist
Roger SmithRoger Smith may refer to:*Roger Smith , American television and film actor and screenwriter*Roger Smith , English soccer player*Roger Smith , Bahamian tour tennis player...
. Together they stretch out on freewheeling, jam-oriented material that organically combines modern day pop production values with Peacock’s strong affinity for early ‘60s jazz.
The result is a compelling, genre-defying hybrid that highlights the improvisational prowess of all the participants in the context of Peacock’s contemporary auteur vision. “There is a nod to my early jazz roots, with current flavors added in too,” says Peacock. “I tried to be honest to all my influences and let this be a project that’s all about the love of music and gratitude for other people’s contributions. Being involved in producing pop music can be so formulaic and stifling, so I wanted this project to be about freedom and enjoyment and sheer creativity. And it turned out to be a blessing that made me feel grateful again to just be involved in music.”
For a sample of reviews and articles see:
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=18893
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=19966
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=18990
http://www.onefinalnote.com/reviews/p/peacock-charlie/love-press.asp
http://www.jazzreview.com/article/review-4545.html
Arc of the Circle
For his second jazz/improvisational music album, Arc of the Circle (Runway), Peacock teamed with Bela Fleck & the Flecktones’ saxophonist extraordinaire Jeff Coffin. The album's original tracks, which were recorded in one sitting at Peacock's Nashville home, actually document the first time he and Coffin ever played together. (Arc of the Circle's foundational tracks were recorded prior to the previously released Love Press Ex-Curio.) Unveiled in 2008, Arc of the Circle also features guest performances by guitarist
Marc RibotMarc Ribot is an American guitarist and composer.His own work has touched on many styles, including no wave, free jazz, and Cuban music...
(Robert Plant/Alison Krauss), drummer Derrek Phillips (Charlie Hunter), electronica whiz Tony Miracle (Venus Hum), percussionist Ken Lewis (Michelle Williams), keyboardist/percussionist Chad Howat (Paper Route), and tubaist Joe Murphy (Brad Paisley).
“Arc of the Circle, the new duets recording by Flecktones saxophonist Jeff Coffin and pianist Charlie Peacock isn't exactly like anything you've ever heard,” responded Abstract Logix in its review of the album. “The closest contemporary references for it are the musical flavors of
Chick CoreaArmando Anthony "Chick" Corea is a multiple Grammy Award winning American jazz pianist, keyboardist, drummer, and composer.He is known for his work during the 1970s in the genre of jazz fusion...
/Bela Fleck,
Marty EhrlichMarty Ehrlich is a multi-instrumentalist and is considered one of the leading figures in experimental or avant-garde jazz....
,
Dave DouglasDave Douglas is a U.S. jazz trumpeter and composer whose music is notable for drawing on many non-jazz musical styles, including classical music, European folk music and klezmer. He has been a member of the experimental big band Orange Then Blue...
,
Uri CaineUri Caine is an American classical and jazz pianist and composer.Caine began playing piano at seven and studied with French jazz pianist Bernard Peiffer at 12. He later studied at the University of Pennsylvania where he came under the tutelage of George Crumb...
, and Marc Ribot (who contributes to the project). This is high-risk improvisational music first with production and arrangements coming second. Historically speaking, it bears some resemblance to early
Dewey RedmanDewey Redman was an American jazz saxophonist, known for free jazz....
/
Keith JarrettKeith Jarrett is an American pianist, composer, and jazz icon.His career started with Art Blakey, soon moving on to play with Charles Lloyd then Miles Davis. Since the early 1970s he has enjoyed a great deal of success in both classical music and jazz, as a group leader and a solo performer...
collaborations, with some aggressive
John ColtraneJohn William "Trane" Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer.Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes in jazz and later was at the forefront of free jazz...
/
McCoy TynerAlfred McCoy Tyner is a jazz pianist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, known for his work with the John Coltrane Quartet and a long solo career.-Early life:...
type moments. There's also a little Stravinsky,
Aaron CoplandAaron Copland was an American composer of concert and film music, as well as an accomplished pianist. Instrumental in forging a distinctly American style of composition, he was widely known as "the dean of American composers". Copland's music achieved a balance between modern music and American...
,
Charles IvesCharles Edward Ives was an American modernist composer. He is widely regarded as one of the first American composers of international significance. Ives' music was largely ignored during his life, and many of his works went unperformed for many years...
, and Hindemith influences peeking through. Coffin and Peacock also seem to be channeling the famous cartoon composers, like Philip A. Scheib,
Carl StallingCarl W. Stalling was a noted American composer and arranger of music for animated cartoons. He is most closely associated with the Looney Tunes shorts produced by Warner Bros., where he worked, averaging one complete score each week, for twenty-two years.-Biography:Stalling was born and grew up in...
, and
Raymond ScottRaymond Scott , was an American composer, band leader, pianist, engineer, recording studio maverick, and electronic instrument inventor. He was born in Brooklyn to a family of Russian-Jewish immigrants...
. Mix in some cut-up, glitch-pop electronics with Ornette/
Don CherryDon Cherry was an innovative African-American jazz trumpeter whose career began with a long association with saxophonist Ornette Coleman, and who would go on to live and work with a wide variety of musicians in many parts of the world.-Biography:Cherry was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and...
leap-frog intervals, and somehow, even with all the eclectic influences, the music remains bluesy and essentially American. All of this is a good thing, as these two major improvisers and friends create yet another surprising hybrid of jazz/not jazz, and stretch the boundaries of even the most current ‘beyond jazz’ categories.”
Jazz Times, meanwhile, described Arc of the Circle as “an improvisational blend of modern classical and ECM-like influences.” And later in its review explained, “Coffin and Peacock (who plays piano, synthesizer, Wurlitzer and toy piano) completely improvised the basic tracks before Marc Ribot (electric and resonator guitars), Tony Miracle (electronics and laptop computer) and guest players contributed to the derangements. Peacock uses both grand and toy piano on the opening title track, engaging Coffin's tenor sax into a game of musical tag.
“Ribot and drummer Derrek Phillips contribute heavily to the subsequent, nearly accessible 'Rice Dice Mice,' but most of the remaining pieces purposely avoid having a rhythmic anchor. Phillips plays on two other abstract pieces, 'Downstairs Room of You' and 'Redux: Porky, Boots and Floyd.' The remainder is mostly freeform Peacock and Coffin (on tenor, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute and percussion).”
Discography (Solo Artist)
- Lie Down in the Grass (1984
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1984.-Events:*January 21 - "Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood reaches number one in the UK singles chart; it spends a total of forty-two weeks in the Top 40....
, Exit RecordsExit Records was an independent record label founded in 1982 by Mary Neely, a veteran of the music business and longtime host for several national rock and roll radio shows, including Rockscope. The label folded in 1987....
)
- Lie Down in the Grass (1985
-January-March:*January 28 - Various artists, under the group name USA For Africa, including Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, Steve Perry, Kenny Loggins, Willie Nelson, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Huey...
, A&M RecordsA&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group which operates through the Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
). "Watching Eternity" and "Human Condition" featured on the 1984 release, were removed and replaced by "Young in Heart" and "Love Doesn't Get Better."
- Charlie Peacock
Charlie Peacock is one of several releases by the USA Christian rock artist Charlie Peacock.The bulk of the Charlie Peacock album was originally recorded for A&M Records and was initially slated to appear on an album titled Town Hall. Upon hearing the finished master, A&M declined to release it...
(1986
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1986.-Events:*January 23 - The first induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame takes place...
, Island RecordsIsland Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in England for many years, but is now owned by Universal Music Group and is operated in the United States through The Island Def Jam Music Group and in the UK through Island Records Group...
/Exit RecordsExit Records was an independent record label founded in 1982 by Mary Neely, a veteran of the music business and longtime host for several national rock and roll radio shows, including Rockscope. The label folded in 1987....
)
- West Coast Diaries: Vol. 1 (1987
See also:Record labels established in 1987-Events:*January - Steve "Silk" Hurley's innovative "Jack Your Body" becomes the first house music record to top the UK singles chart....
, Jamz Ltd) - cassette only indie release
- West Coast Diaries: Vol. 2 (1988
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1988.
- Events :
*January 3 - The Cinemax television special Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night, recorded on September 30, 1987 at the Coconut Grove in Los Angeles, California, USA, is...
, Jamz Ltd) - cassette only indie release
- West Coast Diaries: Vol. 3 (1989
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1989.-Events:
*January 14 - Paul McCartney releases Снова в СССР exclusively in the USSR...
, Jamz Ltd) - cassette only indie release
- Secret of Time (1990
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1990.-Events:
*January 21 - MTV's Unplugged premieres on cable television with musical pie, Squeeze...
, Sparrow RecordsSparrow Records is a popular Christian music record label; a division of EMI. Sparrow Records was founded in 1976 by Billy Ray Hearn, then A&R director at Myrrh Records. Purchased by EMI in 1992, it is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group, and has been named by Billboard Magazine as "America's...
)
- Love Life (1991
See also:* 1991 in music Record labels established in 1991-Summary:The year 1991 is the year that grunge music made its popular breakthrough. Nirvana's Nevermind, led by the surprise hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit", becomes the most popular U.S. album of the year...
, Sparrow RecordsSparrow Records is a popular Christian music record label; a division of EMI. Sparrow Records was founded in 1976 by Billy Ray Hearn, then A&R director at Myrrh Records. Purchased by EMI in 1992, it is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group, and has been named by Billboard Magazine as "America's...
)
- West Coast Diaries: Vol. 1-3 (1991
See also:* 1991 in music Record labels established in 1991-Summary:The year 1991 is the year that grunge music made its popular breakthrough. Nirvana's Nevermind, led by the surprise hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit", becomes the most popular U.S. album of the year...
, Sparrow RecordsSparrow Records is a popular Christian music record label; a division of EMI. Sparrow Records was founded in 1976 by Billy Ray Hearn, then A&R director at Myrrh Records. Purchased by EMI in 1992, it is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group, and has been named by Billboard Magazine as "America's...
)
- Everything That's On My Mind (1995
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1995.- Events :*January 18 – Jerry Garcia crashes his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California, USA, but is not injured in the accident....
, Sparrow RecordsSparrow Records is a popular Christian music record label; a division of EMI. Sparrow Records was founded in 1976 by Billy Ray Hearn, then A&R director at Myrrh Records. Purchased by EMI in 1992, it is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group, and has been named by Billboard Magazine as "America's...
)
- Strangelanguage (1996
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January - At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the...
, re:think/EMI)
- In the Light: The Very Best of Charlie Peacock (1996
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January - At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the...
, re:think/EMI)
- Live In the Netherlands(1998
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1998.-Events:
*January 28 - "Weird Al" Yankovic gets LASIK surgery to cure his myopia...
, CP Collector Series)
- Last Vestiges of Honor (1998
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1998.-Events:
*January 28 - "Weird Al" Yankovic gets LASIK surgery to cure his myopia...
, CP Collector Series). Recorded by The Charlie Peacock Group in 1981 (a 12" single of two songs was released in California and Japan in 1981).
- Kingdom Come (1999
See also:* 1999 in music Record labels established in 1999-Events:*January 7**After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation....
, re:think/EMI CMG)
- Full Circle (2004
See also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-Events:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol....
, Sparrow RecordsSparrow Records is a popular Christian music record label; a division of EMI. Sparrow Records was founded in 1976 by Billy Ray Hearn, then A&R director at Myrrh Records. Purchased by EMI in 1992, it is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group, and has been named by Billboard Magazine as "America's...
)
- Love Press Ex-Curio (2005
-Events:*During the year 2005, 12 rock music albums scored number 1 in the USA. This was the first time even ten albums have scored number 1 since 1996....
, Runway Network/Emergent/RED)
- Arc of the Circle (2008
-January:*29 January**Face to Face announce that they will reunite for select shows in the US and internationally.**Rage Against the Machine headline the Big Day Out festivals in Australia and New Zealand, their first shows outside the United States since reforming, and their first Australian shows...
, Runway Network)
Popular Books
- At The Crossroads. Revised and Expanded Edition. With Molly Nicholas. (Colorado Springs, CO: Shaw at Waterbrook Press/Random House
Random House, Inc. is the world's largest English-language general trade book publisher. It has been owned since 1998 by the large German private media corporation Bertelsmann and has become the umbrella brand for Bertelsmann book publishing...
, 2004).
- New Way To Be Human: A Provocative Look At What It Means To Follow Jesus (Colorado Springs, CO: Shaw at Waterbrook Press/Random House
Random House, Inc. is the world's largest English-language general trade book publisher. It has been owned since 1998 by the large German private media corporation Bertelsmann and has become the umbrella brand for Bertelsmann book publishing...
, 2004).
- At The Crossroads (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999).
Chapters in Edited Collections
- “Taking it Personally,” The aWAKE Project : Uniting against the African AIDS Crisis (Nashville, TN: W Publishing Group, 2002). Various authors including: Nelson Mandela, Bono, Kofi Annan, and George W. Bush.
- “Taking it Personally,” Mission: Africa: A Field Guide (Nashville, TN: W Publishing Group, 2003).
- "Making Art Like a True Artist," It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God (Baltimore, MD: Square Halo Books, 2000).
- “The Bright Life,” City On A Hill (Nashville, TN: CCM Books: Harvest House Publishers, 2000). Various authors including: Leigh Nash (Sixpence None the Richer), Dan Haseltine (Jars of Clay), Mac Powell (Third Day).
- “God Sends a Saxophonist,” Ragamuffin Prayers (Nashville, TN: CCM Books: Harvest House Publishers, 2000). Various authors including: Michael W. Smith, Brennan Manning, Rich Mullins and Ashley Cleveland.
- “High and Holy Calling,” More Like the Master (Chicago, IL: Cornerstone Press, 1996). Various authors including: Michael Card, Jan Krist, Dwight Ozard.
- “An Apologetic From the Christian Music Industry to the Church,” A Distant Harmony: The Papers of the Hearn Symposium on Christian Music (Waco, TX: Baylor University, 2003). Various authors including: Randall Bradley, George Barna, Robert Webber, Terry York.
- “The Creative Christian Life,” AGMA Music Curriculum: Tools for Ministry And Career (Nashville, TN: GMA, 1999).
External links
- http://www.myspace.com/charliepeacock (Updated daily)
- http://www.charliepeacock.com/ (primarily e-store for out-of-print CDs/books)
- http://www.charliepeacockjazz.com/ (Love Press Ex-Curio site, never updated)