Charlie Peacock

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Charlie Peacock
Birth name	Charles William Ashworth
Also known as	Charlie Peacock
Born	August 10, 1956 (1956-08-10) (age 51)
Origin	Yuba City, California USA
Genre(s)	Singer-songwriter, jazz
Occupation(s)	recording artist, songwriter, session musician, record producer, A&R
Instrument(s)	voice, piano, keyboards
Label(s)	Exit/A&M Records (1984-85), Exit/Island Records (1986-88), Sparrow/EMI (1990-95), re:think/EMI (1996-99), Runway Network/RED (2005)

Charlie Peacock (born Charles William Ashworth, August 10, 1956) is an American singer-songwriter, pianist, record producer, session musician, and author. He is often noted as a unique musical and lyrical voice,^[1]intelligent,^[2] innovative,^[3]and difficult to categorize.^[4] His resume includes touring artist, much-recorded songwriter, record company president, seminary student, jazz pianist, and Sr. A&R consultant to mega-music publisher, Sony/ATV.

Contents 1 Early life and music 2 The 1980s 2.1 The Charlie Peacock Group 2.2 From Spiritual Awakening to Conversion 2.3 The Exit Years: A&M Records, Island Records, CBS Songs, Bill Graham Mgmt. 3 The 1990s - Relocation to Nashville 3.1 The Gospel/Christian Music Years 4 Jazz/Improvisational Music 4.1 Sacramento Jazz - Late 1970s 4.2 John Coltrane - His Music and Spirituality 4.3 Love Press Ex-Curio 4.4 Music In Progress 5 Discography (Solo Artist) 6 Books and Publications 6.1 Popular Books 6.2 Chapters in Edited Collections 7 References 8 External links

[edit] Early life and music

Peacock was born in Yuba City, California 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 State. Also called "No Man's Land," this part of central and southwestern Louisiana was settled in part by a mixed-race people known as Redbones (see Redbone (ethnicity)) 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 Depression. 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 highschool sweetheart (Andrea Berrier) at 18 and began his professional music career (after one semester at the California State University, Sacramento, where he was befriended by the late Frank Kofsky, 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 Raitt, Dave Mason). 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 Hart. Legendary vocalist/songwriter Sal Valentino (The Beau Brummels, 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 Jones, began to shop Peacock's music to his Los Angeles A&R friends. A&M Records 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 Kahne. A&M passed on signing Peacock but Kahne and Rubinson remained interested. With Kahne producing, Rubinson funded another set of demos featuring Mark Isham and Vicki Randle. 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.

[edit] The 1980s

[edit] 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 comprised of Erik Kleven (bass), Jim Caselli (drums), Darius Babazadeh (tenor saxophone), and the filmmaker/guitarist, Mark Herzig. Peacock continued to record solo with David Kahne 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 Records), is out of print.

[edit] From Spiritual Awakening to Conversion

In April of 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 Kahne. Butera introduced Peacock to a group of Christians affiliated with Chuck Smith (pastor) and Calvary Chapel. 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 Schaeffer 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 Abegg, 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 Show (a.k.a. Rock Scope). The show, which focused on spiritual themes in rock music, featured music and interviews from artists like Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Roger McGuinn of The Byrds, The Who, Joe English of Paul McCartney's Wings, T-Bone Burnett & The Alpha Band, Jerry Garcia and many others. Other notable artist/thinkers in Neely's circle included, Steve Turner (writer), Davin Seay, Steve Scott (poet), and Michael Roe.

[edit] 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 77s 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 Records. 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 Copeland, and immediately put on the road with The Fixx, Let's Active, and General Public. 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 Peppers, among others. Unhappy with A&M's distribution, Neely moved Peacock and The 77s to Island Records. Peacock was signed to Island by Chris Blackwell 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 Police) and co-producer and friend, Brent Bourgeois. Musicians for the sessions included Randy Jackson, Michael Urbano, and Lyle Workman. 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 Bourgeois, Larry Tagg, Bongo Bob Smith, Henry Robinett, and Aaron Smith. 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 Ertegün and Ron Alexenberg, by 1988 Peacock was released from Island and without a record deal. Undaunted, Peacock joined with friends Jimmy Abegg 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 Nashville, Tennessee.

[edit] The 1990s - Relocation to Nashville

[edit] The Gospel/Christian Music Years

In 1987, producer Jack Joseph Puig and Word A&R director Lynn Nichols recorded a Peacock song ("Down In The Lowlands") on the contemporary Christian artist, Russ Taff. Peacock sang background vocals on the song. That same year Peacock produced the alternative Christian band, The Choir. 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 Taylor, Mylon Le Fevre, Philip Bailey, Randy Stonehill). 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 Easter and his band, Let's Active, 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 Becker 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 Records. 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 Abegg 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 Grant 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 Bannister agreed to produce Peacock's first full foray into contemporary Christian music. The ensuing recording, "The Secret of Time" was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1990 (Best Rock Gospel). Peacock's early association with Brown Bannister led to production and session musician work on gospel legends, Al Green, Twila Paris, and Amy Grant (Peacock co-wrote the smash hit Every Heartbeat and played keyboards on the 5 Million-selling album Heart In Motion). 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 (EMI/Sparrow) and signed and developed two significant artists, Sarah Masen and Switchfoot. 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, Switchfoot. Their fourth album, The Beautiful Letdown marketed by Columbia Records sold over 2.6 million copies and yielded three Top-40 singles (including Peacock's coproduction of "Dare You to Move"). At the encouragement of author and sports television pioneer, Bob Briner, Peacock wrote and published a critical analysis of the genre of contemporary Christian music. This book, At The Crossroads was published by Broadman & Holman in 1989. In 2004, Random House 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:

“

There are still compelling reasons to link up with individuals in the CCM industry, on a case by case basis . . . Still, I’ve reached the point where I take such issue with the creation and cultivation of “Christian Music” as a genre that I’m conflicted when I do contribute. As a result, most of my work is now carried out in the arena where I began my musical and spiritual journey: the realm of popular music.[5]

”

[edit] Jazz/Improvisational Music

[edit] 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 Smith, trumpeters Tom Peron and Larry Lunetta, saxophonist's Darius Babazadeh, Mike Butera, and Joe Espinoza, bassist Alphonza Kee (brother of gospel great John P. Kee), percussionist Bongo Bob Smith, guitarist Henry Robinett (cousin of Charles Mingus) and many others of his generation. Peacock was befriended by author/scholar/drummer Frank Kofsky at California State University at Sacramento. Kofsky gave a positive mention of Peacock in his San Francisco Chronicle 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 Hill, at the artist's home. Peacock recalled the meeting this way:

“

I was a mere novice who wanted to play something for Andrew Hill that he would think was cool. I'm not sure I met my goal on that particular day. Still, Andrew and his wife were incredibly kind and encouraging. Realistically, I was just starting to develop and he had to have known it. I think he wanted me to leave his home believing that anything was possible. And I did.[6]

”

Peacock honored the late Dr. Frank Kofsky in his composition, "Frank the Marxist Memorial Gong Blues" heard on the Charlie Peacock CD, Love Press Ex-Curio (2005).

[edit] 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:

“

Late at night, alone in my room, I would light a candle and a little cone of incense, put Coltrane on the stereo, and invite him to transport me to new worlds of sound and invention. It was for me, as people often remarked in those days, a religious experience, and admittedly no small part of my attraction to Coltrane.[7]

”

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

[edit] 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 jazz and improvised music whose earliest influences include such jazz legends as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, Carla Bley, and Andrew Hill. 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 Alessi, saxophonists Kirk Whalum, Jeff Coffin (of the Flecktones) and Ravi Coltrane, bassists Victor Wooten and James Genus, guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel and drummer Joey Baron. Also on board for the sessions, which took place in Nashville and New York, are drummer Jim White, Bay Area sonic manipulators Myles Boisen and Gino Robair, guitarist and loopmeister Jerry McPherson, electronica mavens Tony Miracle and Kip Kubin of the group Venus Hum, and Tower of Power Hammond B-3 organist Roger Smith. 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.

“

I’m not a jazz purist and I’m not going to pretend to be,” says Peacock. “I want to use everything I’ve learned producing records to make music that is well cared for but ultimately very free. I want to have improvisation and composition, but then treat those elements in the same way I would if I were trying to make a really interesting pop record.

”

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.”

“

I was able to spend a lot of time in S.F. at different points of music history there, whether it was the height of Keystone Korner or the punk and new wave movement,” he says. “I grew up listening to James Taylor, the Mahavishnu Orchestra and electric Miles Davis. I had Bitches Brew when I was in eighth grade. And in my little tribe of guys, Miles’ Jack Johnson was a real pivotal record for us. I just think it’s really important to me. I would put it down as one of my main influences, definitely. In fact, I remember a battle of the bands when I was a freshman in high school and we played a song off Jack Johnson and a Jeff Beck song.

”

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

[edit] Music In Progress

As of October 2007, Peacock is preparing two more improvisational music releases: The first, a duets record with Flecktones saxophonist, Jeff Coffin featuring guests, drummer Derrek Phillips (Charlie Hunter), guitarist Marc Ribot (Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, John Zorn), electronica artist Tony Miracle of Venus Hum, percussionist Ken Lewis, and Joe Murphy on tuba. Compositions include: Arc of the Circle, Chartel Hill, Captured In The Moment, Downstairs Room of You, Rice Dice Mice, and Sweet Magnolia (Tree).

The second project in the works features cohorts Coffin and Miracle again, with the addition of Icelandic guitarist Hilmar Jensson, bassist Felix Pastorius, and drummer Ben Perowsky.

[edit] Discography (Solo Artist)

• Lie Down in the Grass (1984, Exit Records)
• Lie Down in the Grass (1985, A&M Records). "Watching Eternity" and "Human Condition" featured on the 1984 release, were removed and replaced by "Young in Heart" and "Love Doesn't Get Any Better."
• Charlie Peacock (1986, Island Records/Exit Records)
• West Coast Diaries: Vol. 1 (1987, Jamz Ltd) - cassette only indie release
• West Coast Diaries: Vol. 2 (1988, Jamz Ltd) - cassette only indie release
• West Coast Diaries: Vol. 3 (1989, Jamz Ltd) - cassette only indie release
• Secret of Time (1990, Sparrow Records)
• Love Life (1991, Sparrow Records)
• West Coast Diaries: Vol. 1-3 (1991, Sparrow Records)
• Everything That's On My Mind (1995, Sparrow Records)
• Strangelanguage (1996, re:think/EMI)
• In the Light: The Very Best of Charlie Peacock (1996, re:think/EMI)
• Live In the Netherlands(1998, CP Collector Series)
• Last Vestiges of Honor (1998, 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, re:think/EMI CMG)
• Full Circle (2004, Sparrow Records)
• Love Press Ex-Curio (2005, Runway Network/Emergent/RED)

[edit] Books and Publications

[edit] Popular Books

• At The Crossroads. Revised and Expanded Edition. With Molly Nicholas. (Colorado Springs, CO: Shaw at Waterbrook Press/Random House, 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, 2004).
• At The Crossroads (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999).

[edit] 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).

[edit] References

[edit] 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)