When Chuck Mead was a young boy, he and his sister moved with their parents to Lawrence, Kansas. He got a drum kit as a gift when he was 12, and soon after started playing in the family’s band. It was made up of his mom, his dad, his grandparents and uncles who played country and western, and Chuck would also sing songs by Carl Perkins and Elvis.

An uncle taught Chuck how to play guitar and by high school, he was playing in bands with friends. He continued to play while attending The University of Kansas, still having a fondness for rockabilly and country, but was also listening to Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Springsteen and even the Ramones. His band, The Homestead Grays, recorded a couple of records and after college, Chuck moved to Nashville. He played in the window of Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge and before long, he and Gary Bennett formed BR549. Crowds packed in to see them play Robert’s on Lower Broadway. They were an enormous hit, and soon became famous worldwide. A few weeks after seeing him with his current band, The Stalwarts, I had the pleasure of talking with the extremely talented, and very very funny, Chuck Mead.

Photo by Joshua Black Wilkins. Follow him here on Instagram.

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Thanks for listening to Frets with DJ Fey. You can follow or subscribe for FREE at most podcast platforms. If you play guitar and are interested in being a guest, or have a suggestion for one, send me an email at davefey@me.com. You can also find information about guitarists, bands and more at the Frets with DJ Fey Facebook page. Give it a like! And – stay tuned…