Charlie Winton, a native Northern Californian, has been playing music and writing songs on the guitar for over 40 years. The focus of Winton’s storied publishing career meant that his music was always something that he shared with just a few friends, but it was always a constant. As his publishing activities receded, Winton focused more energy on music and his song writing. By 2019 Winton had a number of songs he felt strongly about and decided he should be recording to see how they would sound with more evolved instrumentation.

That summer Winton connected with the musician and producer Scott Mathews noted for his work with Jack Nitzsche, Brian Wilson, Van Morrison, the Durocs, and many others. It was a great match, and they began recording at Mathews’ studio “Tiki Town” in the Fall of 2019. Those initial sessions resulted in Winton’s 1st album, Hold on Tight (March 2020) and were critical in helping forge a creative bond and an effective collaboration.

Winton reunited with Mathews again in the Summer of 2021 for a 2nd album The Soul and The Shadow (April 2022), with Mathews again producing. Rocking, soulful, and melodic, the first two albums of Winton’s are driven by his evocative vocals and Mathews’ brilliant, unifying arrangements. By the spring of 2023 Winton was back for more fun at Tiki Town with Mathews with 10 more original songs. Their most ambitious effort yet, the 3rd album Eternal Light will be released on March 1, 2024.

“I fell into this great thing with Scott that fit what I wanted to do, exactly how I wanted to do it. It was a perfect opportunity with no risk and a big reward.”

Photograph: © Pat Johnson