By Jeff Maisey
The big question is why have you decided to leave Hampton Roads and where are you headed?
I am leaving Hampton Roads because it’s just hard for me to be me here these days. This town is not set up for a guy like me anymore. I’m moving to Nashville, Tennessee because I feel that my options are greater and more numerous there than they are here. And because I just feel like that town is booming. You can feel it in the air just walking down the street that there’s something going on.
What are your plans for your new home base?
My plans in Nashville are to get situated with a home; go out and let everybody know I’m there and what I do and what I’m trying to do, which is play as much as possible – be it in a recording studio, radio, television, live performance, touring with big stars. I just want to go there and take what I do to a higher level like I once did.
What originally brought you to Hampton Roads and when was that?
I am a native of Norfolk, Virginia. I move back here some years ago to be closer to my parents while they were still alive and was happy to be here until their death. I got to spend some good quality time with them before they passed away.
What was your impression of the Hampton Roads music scene at that time?
My impression of the Hampton Roads music scene at that time, when I moved back here, was it is changed a little but it was still pretty favorable. There was enough work for a guy like me to do. I played a lot of Irish Celtic music with a couple of guys like Martin Marin and Don Bunch in places like Murphy’s Irish Pub, Mo and O’Malley’s Irish Pub, and Jack Quinn’s. Two of those are no longer in existence.
Who were some of your favorite local musicians and bands that you accompanied?
Well over the years I’ve enjoyed playing with people of all styles of music. More recently I really enjoyed playing with the guys I call the young bucks. I am primarily talking about the rocking country band Buckshot, and the acoustic jam band Woodwork. Both of those bands are young people who have accepted me with open arms and just made me feel really good and really special and welcomed me into their world even though I’m old enough to be their daddy.
What is your overall impression of the music scene in Hampton Roads?
I guess my overall impression of the Tidewater music scene these days is not that favorable; it just doesn’t work for a guy like me who is a full-time musician, unapologetically, who wants to do more. If you are not a singer/guitar player or possibly a duo, the possibility to work and make enough money around here to survive as a sole means of income is slim to none. Hampton Roads has turned into the land of the part-time band. Almost everyone I play with plays a few days a month and has a full-time day job to support themselves. It didn’t used to be like that. Music is just what I do and who I am and it’s in my blood and always has been. I have to go somewhere where a guy like me has a realistic possibility of making a living… That got narrowed down to few places very quickly.
What details can you tell us about your farewell gig?
To help generate the money for me to move I have decided to put together this special Charlie Austin’s farewell jam. I have approximately 17 different artists and bands that will be playing one right after another starting 7 p.m. and running all night. I will play at least one song with each act. It should be epic! I picked Monday because it is the best night to get the bands when they are off. If you are an early riser come early. If not come later. There will be music non-stop regardless.
The event will be Monday, March 7 at the Eagles Nest Virginia Beach. That is at Hilltop 600 Nevan Road. It used to be the Jewish Mother. It’s a large menu that will hold about 600 people and I hope to fill it. So far advanced ticket sales are looking very strong and I am very encouraged by that.
I will miss my musical friends and I will certainly miss the fans and music lovers who have supported me over the years, but I can’t say that I miss the struggle of trying to survive as a musician here. Hopefully before much longer you will be seeing me on TV and hearing me on the radio again.
WANT TO GO?
Charlie Austin Farewell Jam
March 7
Eagles Nest Hilltop
