Charlie King Biography
Charlie King is a musical storyteller and political satirist. He sings and writes passionately about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. Pete Seeger hailed him as “One of the finest singers and songwriters of our time.”
Charlie has been at the heart of American folk music since the early 60s and has been writing songs for over half a century. In October of 2017 he received the annual Phil Ochs Award, in recognition of his music and activism for social and political justice in the spirit of Phil Ochs. Other honors include the 2014 Joe Hill Award, a lifetime achievement award for excellence in the field of labor culture. His songs have been recorded and sung by other performers such as Pete Seeger, Holly Near, Ronnie Gilbert, John McCutcheon, Arlo Guthrie, Peggy Seeger, Chad Mitchell and Judy Small.
Charlie King on Tour
Charlie is currently touring and performing online with his most recent recording, We’ll Make It Through, a musical collaboration with longtime friend Reggie Harris released in August 2026. Charlie has recorded over twenty solo albums since 1976, as well as three albums with the touring ensemble Bright Morning Star, and numerous compilation albums with other artists. In addition to concert touring, King has sung in support of numerous groups working for peace, human rights, environmental sanity and alternatives to violence.
Charlie's Vision
His central vision as an entertainer is to leave audiences with a sense of optimism and possibility about the future. "I try to cover a broad emotional landscape in my concerts. The stories I collect and the songs I write take the listener on a journey of humor, heartache and hope. What I most value in a song is the way it helps us see an old reality in a totally new light."
Charlie was born in 1947, and was raised in
Reggie Harris wrote: There is NO ONE who writes and crafts stories like Charlie, …with a mixture of humor and seriousity, respectfully examining how our world could be more just.
