Cafe Eleven

   It’s Charlie’s mix of wild country abandon seasoned by years of playing urban electric blues in Chicago that spurs the likes of Ben Harper, Tom Waits and Gov’t Mule to welcome Musselwhite onto their stages and records. That same brash, blues/rock rebel vibe was Dan Aykroyd’s inspiration for his Elwood Blues persona, and it’s what has won Musselwhite a pile of blues awards and earned the admiration and respect of his own heroes: Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters. John Lee was even the best man at Charlie’s wedding.

   Over the years, Musselwhite has released dozens of albums and has contributed to countless others including guesting on Bonnie Raitt’s Grammy® award-winning Longing In Their Hearts, The Blind Boys of Alabama’s Grammy-winning SPIRIT OF THE CENTURY, Tom Waits’ MULE VARIATIONS and even playing the driving harmonica on INXS’ SUICIDE BLONDE. He was the longtime compadre and musical partner to his friend John Lee Hooker. His recent tour and recording sessions with Ben Harper have led to live and studio tracks featuring Charlie on the limited edition bonus disc of Ben’s soon-to-be released BOTH SIDES OF THE GUN. Musical institutions have honored Musselwhite, too. With 18 W.C. Handy awards to his credit and 6 Grammy nominations, he is firmly entrenched in musical history. Musselwhite has also been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Monterey Blues Festival and the San Javier Jazz Festival in Spain and the Mississippi Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts.