About Charlie Mosbrook

With roots in traditional American folk and acoustic blues, award winning songwriter Charlie Mosbrook carries these traditions into the 21st century with carefully crafted compositions that are memorable, honest, emotional, and melodic. With a rich baritone voice and eclectic guitar technique built on 35 years of performance and musical exploration, Charlie introduces the song in a comfortable, conversational, and comical presentation before disappearing into the heart of the music, allowing the listener to share the experience, passion, and joy that defines Charlie Mosbrook’s music.
Born, raised, and based in Cleveland, Ohio, Charlie began his journey with a cheap guitar, a book of poetry, and a copy of Bound for Glory by Woody Guthrie. Early on he relocated to Madison, Wisconsin, and Chicago where he began busking. This experience provided him with an opportunity to develop his stage craft and hone his skills as a musician and songwriter. After a few years he returned home to Cleveland where he began working with a band “The Electric Monkey” and hosting local open mics. The band was a folk-rock ensemble and enjoyed some local success. Charlie’s musical interests leaned heavily toward folk music while his bandmates had a greater interest in modern rock. Eventually the band would find success on their own while Charlie pursued his interests as a songwriter in the folk tradition.

Throughout the 90’s and early 2000s, Charlie was a regular throughout the Great Lakes region performing at bookstores, cafes and festivals often performing daily. His 1997 performances at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum during their weeklong program Woody Guthrie: Hard Travelin’, helped to establish him as a local authority on Guthrie’s music and life. This led to more workshops and performances throughout the US on the subject.
In 2010 Charlie sustained a spinal cord injury leaving him as a high functioning quadriplegic.

Recognition and Awards