Charlie Imes

San Diego singer-songwriter Charlie Imes captures a life spent in the beach towns of Southern California, blending elements of pop, jazz, folk, rock and other musical styles (a little bossa nova here, some ragtime there). His first CD, "On An Island," is as comfortable as your favorite T-shirt and shorts, perfect to conjure images of long summer days at the beach – sort of like a cross between Jimmy Buffett and Donovan Frankenreiter, with a jazzy flavor for extra spice. Imes has been writing and performing his songs for almost 30 years, but never released an album until now. “Why?” Imes played guitar and sang in a few bands doing parties and bar gigs, but he was more likely to be found with friends around campfires or while barbequing out on the deck. "I preferred to play for friends or myself, just for the love of playing and writing. But I eventually figured out that I wasn’t having much fun with a non-music business either, so I figured that if I’m going to deal with that b.s., I might as well enjoy what’s driving it.” Imes cracks his broad grin and adds, “Helluva time to make that career switch, eh?” The NORTH COUNTY TIMES recently described Imes' CD, "On An Island" as: "Not many self-released albums are as polished, as fully realized as this new one from San Diego's Charlie Imes. Then again, not many unsigned artists can bring in former members of Paul McCartney's old band, Wings, or assemble an all-star roster of San Diego's best musicians. But having Laurence Juber sit in on guitar would have been a waste if that were the album's high point. Instead, with the rich warmth of Imes' singing voice, as well as the utter confidence he displays in his singing ---- and the wealth of strong songs Imes and guitarist David Beldock have written ---- Juber's contribution is what it should be: icing."