Charlie Sexton | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | Charles Wayne Sexton |
| Origin | Austin, Texas, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1982–present |
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Charles Wayne Sexton is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. Sexton is best known for his years as a guitarist inBob Dylan's band, though also has become well known as a music producer. Sexton co-foundedArc Angels and created the Charlie Sexton Sextet. He was still a teenager when he gained fame for his 1985 hit, "Beat's So Lonely", from his debut studio album,Pictures for Pleasure.
When he was four, Charlie and his mother relocated fromSan Antonio, Texas toAustin—where clubs such as theArmadillo World Headquarters, Soap Creek Saloon, the Split Rail andAntone's exposed him to popular music. He moved back to Austin at age 12 after a brief period living outside Austin with his mother. When Charlie and his brother, Will Sexton, were still young boys, they were taught how to play guitar by Austin legendW. C. Clark—known as the "Godfather of Austin Blues."[1]
Charlie's first band was the Groovemasters, fronted by Lubbock native R.C. Banks.[2] Under the moniker Little Charlie, he played about 16 dates with theJoe Ely Band in June 1982, after guitarist Jesse Taylor broke some bones in his hand. An observer at the time commented, "Several older guitar players are somewhat miffed but the chemistry is A+".[3]
Sexton performed under the name Guitar Charles Sexton onJuvenile Junk, a five-song EP by the group Maxwell (a.k.a. the Eager Beaver Boys) in 1983.[4]
Sexton released his debut full-length albumPictures for Pleasure in 1985. Recorded in Los Angeles when he was 16, it yielded the Top-20hit single "Beat's So Lonely".[5]Jon Pareles of theNew York Times described him as "a teen idol singing David Bowie-style rock during the years he was promoted by MTV".[6] The album spent 34 weeks onBillboard magazine'sBillboard 200 albums chart, reaching No. 15.[7] It also spawned three Australian Top-100 singles—with "Beat's So Lonely" peaking at No. 17.[8] The song was featured in the movieSome Kind of Wonderful, but was not included on the commercial soundtrack.
Sexton was an occasional opening act forDavid Bowie on hisGlass Spider Tour in 1987, and appears on theGlass Spider video playing guitar onThe Stooges' "I Wanna Be Your Dog" and theVelvet Underground's "White Light/White Heat".
While he was still in his late teens, Sexton became a popular session player—recording with artists such asRonnie Wood,Keith Richards,Don Henley,Jimmy Barnes and Bob Dylan.
He also recordedMy Time with the artist who gave him his start—R.C. Banks.[9]
Sexton worked for a time with his brother Will Sexton in 1988.[10]Will and the Kill released a 38-minute, self-titled album featuring both Sexton andJimmie Vaughan. The album was recorded at Fire Station Studios[11] inSan Marcos, Texas, withJoe Ely producing, and released viaMCA Records.
Sexton later contributed songs to variousmotion picture soundtracks, includingTrue Romance andAir America—and made acameo fronting a bar band inThelma & Louise.[12]
In 1992, Sexton formed theArc Angels withDoyle Bramhall II (son ofDoyle Bramhall, one ofStevie Ray Vaughan's writing partners), and Vaughan'sDouble Trouble rhythm section, composed of bassistTommy Shannon and drummerChris "Whipper" Layton.[6] The name originally was spelled as ARC Angels, named for the Austin Rehearsal Complex, where they practiced.[13] The blues-rock band released a self-titled album onGeffen Records that same year.[14] TheSteven Van Zandt-produced disc was well received by fans and critics, but the band broke up in less than three years.
Sexton formed the Charlie Sexton Sextet in 1995[6] and recordedUnder The Wishing Tree, released onMCA Records.[15] Although sales were disappointing, it was met with critical acclaim.[citation needed] In the meantime, Sexton continued to perform with other artists—appearing on such notable albums asLucinda Williams'Car Wheels on a Gravel Road andShawn Colvin'sGrammy-winning albumA Few Small Repairs (uncredited).[citation needed]
Sexton was hired by Bob Dylan to replaceBucky Baxter in 1999.[citation needed] Sexton had previously played with Dylan during a pair ofAustin, Texas, concerts in 1991 and 1996, and on some demos recorded in 1983. Sexton's residency with Dylan from 1999 to 2002 brought him great exposure—with many critics singling out his interplay withLarry Campbell.[citation needed] The group, hailed as one of Dylan's best, recorded "Things Have Changed" (from the 2000 filmWonder Boys) and 2001's critically acclaimed[citation needed] albumLove and Theft.
Duke Robillard took over on lead guitar in Dylan's touring band In 2013 but was let go after just 27 shows. Sexton andColin Linden subsequently shared lead guitar duties for the band from July and into early August. By the European leg of the2013 Never Ending Tour, Sexton again became the sole lead guitar player and remained so through the end of the touring year.[16]
Sexton continued working with other artists; in 2001, he producedDouble Trouble'sBeen a Long Time, andJimmie Vaughan's albumDo You Get the Blues? (2001).[17]
Sexton has produced numerous other works, includingEdie Brickell'sVolcano (2003),Jon Dee Graham'sGreat Battle (2004),Shannon McNally'sGeronimo (2005), andLos Super Seven'sHeard It on the X (2005).
He released hisCruel and Gentle Things album in late 2005.[18]
He has continued his producing albums for other artists—including Canadian singer-songwriterPeter Elkas' 2007 release,Wall of Fire.[19]
The Arc Angels began playing occasional reunion shows around Austin and Dallas in 2002. In 2009, the band announced it would tour with original members Layton and Bramhall, but not Shannon, who had health issues. The tour included England dates with Bramhall's sometime boss,Eric Clapton. The band also recorded the CD/DVDLiving in a Dream, their second album in 17 years.[20]
Sexton performed theLeonard Cohen song"Hallelujah" withJustin Timberlake andMatt Morris at theHope for Haiti Now benefit concert and telethon for earthquake relief In 2010.[21] Released as a single, the song marked Sexton's second appearance on theBillboard Hot 100 chart, where it reached No. 13.[22]
Charlie and Will Sexton made a rare appearance as a duo opening forRoky Erickson andOkkervil River at Austin'sParamount Theatre on April 24, 2010. Sexton was also the guest performer forConan O'Brien'sLegally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour stop in Austin on May 14, 2010. Sexton appeared with the bandSpoon during their performance on the television showAustin City Limits. The episode premiered on PBS on October 9, 2010. Sexton performed on the song, "Who Makes Your Money".[23]
Charlie and Will Sexton,Jakob Dylan,Brady Blade andDave Matthews recorded an album at Blade's studio inShreveport, Louisiana in early 2013. The group named themselves the Nauts.[24][25] The album has not yet been released.
Sexton had a bit part in theRichard Linklater filmBoyhood, released in 2014 to near-universal acclaim. (The Guardian ranked it at No. 3 on its 2019 list of the top 100 films of the 21st century.)[26] In 2018, Sexton appeared in the documentary filmCarmine Street Guitars and playedTownes Van Zandt in the movieBlaze. Also in 2018 he produced the albumWriting Wrongs for the Last Knife Fighter at Arlyn Studios inAustin, Texas.[citation needed] He has also played on guitar on the last twoJack Ingram records.[citation needed]
Sexton appeared withChuck Prophet during a 2019 tour of Spain, covering theRolling Stones'Some Girls album in its entirety, as well as additional songs by the Stones.[citation needed]
Sexton joinedElvis Costello & the Imposters on their Hello Again 2021 U.S. tour, and continued the association on the band's Boy Named If, and Other Favorites 2022 tour as well.[27]
Sexton appeared on the 75th birthday celebration for David Bowie, produced by former Bowie keyboard playerMike Garson, on January 8, 2022.[citation needed]
In January 2022, the Arc Angels reunited to play four shows in Texas, with Eric Holden replacing Tommy Shannon on bass.[citation needed][28]
In April 2023, Sexton played at Willie Nelson's 90th birthday celebration at the Hollywood Bowl, playing "Remember Me" with Edie Brickell.[29]
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