Charlie Wayne Watson

Interview with Charlie Wayne Watson

~ Stephanie Deplanque ~

Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence. ~ Robert Fripp

Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons, and you will find that it is to the soul what the water bath is to the body.
~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

Charlie Wayne Watson’s music is magical; I can understand why some people feel like the music is a message coming directly from the Spirit World, especially knowing that Charlie Wayne plays from the heart, from the soul.

I invite you to discover this artist, and then to listen to his music on one of his websites (see links below); close your eyes and let the music carry you away…

Can you tell our readers about your journey, how you came to find your “calling” as a flute player?

My name is Charles Wayne Watson. "Charlie Wayne" is what my father called me. And this turned out to be my “stage name.” I am of Choctaw/Cherokee descent. In the past eight years, I have produced and released eight Native American flute CDs. Each CD is over an hour long, with all original compositions. Recently, my first five CDs were added into the International Native American Flute Association's Archives at Kent State University. I was deeply honored by this kind gesture.

I have no musical training or music background whatsoever. I don't understand the concept of reading music. I don't understand playing "by ear." I play from my heart and pictures in my mind, pictures of the plains, the desert, Natives dancing, wildlife or Mountain streams etc., scenes that go unnoticed by most of our fast-paced population.

Some say my compositions are visions or thoughts to relay to others, and that my flutes and I are the messengers chosen to deliver these messages to the hearts of those that are willing to receive. I proclaim rather strongly, my music is inspired by our Creator, and my appreciation for the gifts of Mother Earth.

My music and transformation of spirit came about after a trip to Phoenix, Arizona about eight years ago. I was invited to an art exhibit in Scottsdale, Arizona where I was the featured artist. I have been a painter and sculptor for almost 34 years. At this particular exhibit, was a Native American band called Brule'. They were very entertaining, and the talk of every artist in the art show. It was very hard for me to stay in my booth, simply because I couldn't stay away from this band whenever they were performing. The flutist had my total attention. She was a beautiful Native girl with gorgeous long black hair. But besides that, she could make the flute "cry." I have never been touched by any music as I was by Brule' and the haunting sound of that flute. My life has not been the same since that exhibit.

I asked the leader of the band, Paul Laroche, if he would trade one of his CDs in exchange for one of my carvings. (A single hand carved wooden feather, made from the branch of a Chinese elm tree.) Paul told me that he had noticed my work earlier, and that he would be honored. As we made this trade, Paul said something to me in the Lakota language. I don't know what he said, but I am sure it was a blessing of some sort. As I have said, my life has not been the same since.

On the trip home after the exhibit, I stopped in Oklahoma to rest for the night. The next morning, I made several sales of my artwork to a few Native galleries in the area. At one of these Galleries, I bought a Native-made cedar flute. This later turned out to be the beginning of many gifts from Creator. You see, the music of Brule' had profoundly touched my heart.

As I tell this story of what I refer to as my "flute journey," I have chills from head to toe. This has been an extraordinary spiritual experience for me. I listened to Brule's CD over and over again, all the way back home to Georgia. Some of the songs made me cry and some of the songs brought such a feeling of peace and a presence that I can't explain, other than the magic and Spirit of the Native Flute. All of this music was so packed with emotion, like nothing I had ever heard or felt before.

Several days after returning home to my log cabin on the banks of the Coosawatee River, nestled in the mountains of North Georgia, I was visiting a Native gallery nearby. The owner, Rick Kearney, an amazing acoustic guitarist, and close friend, who is also on my fourth CD, Kindred Spirits, told me that Mary Youngblood would be doing a small concert in his gallery that weekend. If you don't know who Mary Youngblood is, she is one of the most gifted Native flutists to be found anywhere. I was there, needless to say. Mary was wonderful, as was her music. I spoke with her briefly as she autographed two of her CDs for me. We listened to one of Mary's CDs on the way home. When I arrived home, inspired by Mary's performance, I picked up the cedar flute that I had bought in Oklahoma.

I began to play... and then I put the flute back down almost instantly, as the hairs on the back of my neck were standing on end. A friend was in the loft of the cabin and working on the computer, when she yelled out, "that was nice." I was speechless. Then after no response from me, she looked over the balcony and noticed that the "Oklahoma Flute" had been moved from its original spot on the coffee table. "No way!" She said, as I nodded yes. "Do it again!" she said. I managed to get enough words out of my mouth to say, "In a minute, let me calm down first."

I was spellbound. After a while, once more I played. It was if I had played this wonderful instrument since childhood. As the days and weeks followed, I began to play better and better. My friends couldn't believe their ears, and neither could I.

One of my friends invited me to an open mic night at a local café. I went to "check out" the place. I even liked the name, The Harvest Café. I found it very nice and I loved the mellow atmosphere. In spite of my terror, I was urged by my friends to perform. Not realizing at the time that someone had brought my flute for me, without my knowledge. Shaking and trembling, I made my very long walk to the stage, about fifteen feet away. I felt like it must have taken me about an hour or so to get there. So there we were, my flute, that intimidating microphone, and me... alone. I hadn't realized just yet that I wasn't so alone.

As I began to play, that peace that I mentioned earlier fell upon me. The owner of the café sensed the mood and Spirit that was pouring out of the flute and dimmed the lights in the whole place. I became even more at ease, I was diggin' this... until the stage lights were turned on. I finished and the audience applauded. But, they wanted to hear more. I asked myself if I had more. The Spirit said I did, so I played again, this time completely from the heart and without fear. I was proud. I was grateful. I had been blessed with a gift and I knew it.
I played several more pieces, each one more powerful than the one before, and with greater response from the audience. As I finished and seemingly, floated away from the stage, the owner approached me and asked if I would consider performing the following Friday. I must have looked reluctant, when he suggested that he would be happy to pay me to perform. I still play the Harvest Café occasionally, and reflect upon all of the stepping-stones that Creator has placed before me, which has enabled my spirit and music to get to where it is today.

What is reflected in your music is something that, for the people who listen, feels magical, it transports you. It is a melange of emotions. What do YOU feel when playing?

I have found a part of me that I regret not finding until now. The spiritual aspect of my music overwhelms me at times. It is as if I am somehow transcended to another place and time, as if I am on a much grander or higher plain of spirituality when I play. I have found that I am inspired when I play the flute. And when I discovered that the word inspired means "In Spirit" I realize that this is my favorite place to be. Because when I am "In Spirit," I am as close to our Creator as I can be. At least in this life. When performing live and I see someone's heart touched by the flute in such a way that tears come to their eyes, then I know I have done my job. Or I have, in some small way, been instrumental in bringing about a spiritual experience or message to those who know that they are on a journey of the spirit. I always ask these people, "What made you cry?" and I always get the same exact answer, "I don't know, something touched me deep down inside." It is my deepest desire that the listener, will see and feel through my music, that which I feel and see. It is a wonderful journey of the spirit and imagination. I have been told by so many people that my music is "Healing music." I don't understand this or how it happens, but I know that it does happen when it's supposed to.

Apart from the fact that you play the Native American flute, how is being Native American inspiring your music?

Being Native American is not merely a race nor a title as many people may think. Nothing like Hollywood portrays. But rather, it is a constant understanding of the spiritual world as well as the physical world all around us. This understanding is foremost in EVERYTHING I do. This understanding reflects in my art, my music and the way I generally perceive life in this world, to be. Basically, being Native is a fundamental way of travel through the perils of this life . . . This universe.

When was your first CD recorded? And how was it? How did it happen and how did you feel recording? When you look at your journey that must have been something completely unexpected for you, no? And how many CDs have you released as of today?

In 2002 the time came when I wanted to hear what I sounded like for myself. So, I went to a local recording studio (“West Wind”) I was petrified with fear, and there were TWO microphones this time. The Recording engineer told me that he just didn’t “get” Native Music. Somehow I KNEW what I wanted my music to sound like. After that session, although I couldn't afford it, I bought a small four-track recorder and began to record myself with pretty good results. The Beatles once recorded on a similar machine. However, I was very limited to what I could do with the four-track. Recording is a science and I was blessed with the ability to figure it out quickly.

An old friend of mine had heard my music and asked what it would take to record and share this gift with others. He wanted to be part of this blessing from Spirit. I explained to him what equipment I needed and we made a deal.

My friend wrote me a check and I formed Desert Winds Productions, my record label. I bought all of the "state of the art" recording equipment I needed and began to compose, perform and record my flutes, drums, and effects as well as mix, master, duplicate, print, and even shrink-wrap my CDs, professionally. This has been very long journey, but also a labor of love. Now, where did all this come from? Shortly after returning from the trip to Arizona, I prayed earnestly and sincerely to our Creator for the ability to play that Oklahoma flute. I prayed this prayer only once. Coincidence? I don't think so.

You were a nominee at the NAMMYS in 2005. How did you receive this nomination?

I was nominated by Waking Spirit, a Cherokee man living in Oregon, who is very involved with INAFA (International Native American Flute Association) and the Native American Music Awards.

You are also are an active member of the Native American Flute Association, what does that entail?

What’s next? You told me about a book you are working on, can you tell us a little more about it?

The book is an autobiography. After so many people telling me over a twenty to thirty year period that I NEED to write a book or I SHOULD write a book. And after so many failed attempts to do so, the book has finally taken flight. I always remember telling folks that the book would be done after my mother passed. She died in August of 2009. I believe I will be finished with it by summer of 2011. I began the book almost four years ago. I’ve been told by a publisher, the book would “probably make a movie.” The book, currently titled “Amazing Grace,” explains my childhood, the physical, mental, and spiritual abuse endured in that childhood and my addiction to drugs and alcohol and my triumphant recovery over it all, through the gift of music. I’ve been told that the book can make you laugh and cry on the same page. I’ve experienced that for myself.

Many Blessings!!
"Charlie Wayne"

You can learn more about Charlie Wayne, listen to some music and buy CDs on the following websites.

http://www.cdbaby.com/group/flutes

http://www.myspace.com/charliewaynewatson

http://charliewayne.webs.com

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