Known as a true gentleman who had the gift of music and gave of it freely
Charles was an extraordinary musician with great depth and range in his playing. He was always kind, with great wit and humor, a true gentleman. Charles was born with the music in him. At age 3, he started picking out tunes on the piano. By the time he was 6, lessons had started. He played piano all through high school and college, along with baseball and other sports. Whitman, Mass., was his hometown. Buddy, as he was known growing up and until the move to California and the University of California, Los Angeles, “was greatly appreciated for his wit, caring, and demeanor by fellow students in our high school and college days," wrote friend Mike B. While in California, a friend from Vermont working in the LA area sent Charles Vermont Life engagement calendars every Christmas. Eventually, Charles came to Vermont in the summers to escape the LA smog. One fall day in 1989, Charles and his guitarist, photographer friend, Harold, were driving through Montgomery. Charles's '68 Lincoln Continental overheated, so they stopped at Kilgore's General Store for water, instead of the service station next door, so that Harold could take photos of the store. That is how I met my husband. The store had a stage, and when I learned they were musicians, I asked if they would like to play over the Labor Day weekend. Charles had a portable electric piano, and Harold, one of his many guitars, and could they play! The next summer, 1990, Charles asked to play at the store on weekends. He never went back to California, ending his 20+ years there of performing, teaching piano and as a dance accompanist. He welcomed all to join him in making music. His leaving was mourned as the "contribution he made to the joy people at the beach get out of music, a joy not even his leaving can dampen. Keys stilled; sounds remain." He performed classical, jazz, ragtime, boogie-woogie, Broadway, old favorites and new age. He was one of the first-prize winners in the 1973 Frank Sinatra Musical Performance Awards Competition. Playing at the store, Charles attracted many musicians and customers who just loved to join in or just hear him play. One day, Don Hill and Pixley Tyler Hill wandered in. Charles was playing Don's favorite rag, "The Graceful Ghost." He became the house pianist for The Tyler Place Family Resort. For 24…
Known as a true gentleman who had the gift of music and gave of it freely
Charles was an extraordinary musician with great depth and range in his playing. He was always kind, with great wit and humor, a true gentleman. Charles was born with the music in him. At age 3, he started picking out tunes on the piano. By the time he was 6, lessons had started. He played piano all through high school and college, along with baseball and other sports. Whitman, Mass., was his hometown. Buddy, as he was known growing up and until the move to California and the University of California, Los Angeles, “was greatly appreciated for his wit, caring, and demeanor by fellow students in our high school and college days," wrote friend Mike B. While in California, a friend from Vermont working in the LA area sent Charles Vermont Life engagement calendars every Christmas. Eventually, Charles came to Vermont in the summers to escape the LA smog. One fall day in 1989, Charles and his guitarist, photographer friend, Harold, were driving through Montgomery. Charles's '68 Lincoln Continental overheated, so they stopped at Kilgore's General Store for water, instead of the service station next door, so that Harold could take photos of the store. That is how I met my husband. The store had a stage, and when I learned they were musicians, I asked if they would like to play over the Labor Day weekend. Charles had a portable electric piano, and Harold, one of his many guitars, and could they play! The next summer, 1990, Charles asked to play at the store on weekends. He never went back to California, ending his 20+ years there of performing, teaching piano and as a dance accompanist. He welcomed all to join him in making music. His leaving was mourned as the "contribution he made to the joy people at the beach get out of music, a joy not even his leaving can dampen. Keys stilled; sounds remain." He performed classical, jazz, ragtime, boogie-woogie, Broadway, old favorites and new age. He was one of the first-prize winners in the 1973 Frank Sinatra Musical Performance Awards Competition. Playing at the store, Charles attracted many musicians and customers who just loved to join in or just hear him play. One day, Don Hill and Pixley Tyler Hill wandered in. Charles was playing Don's favorite rag, "The Graceful Ghost." He became the house pianist for The Tyler Place Family Resort. For 24…