Charles has been playing music for over 20 years, starting out playing with his father and brother as a child. He wrote his first piece of music before he even became a teenager and has written hundreds more since, always working on improving his craft. Along with drumming, he composes music for television and film and his music has been featured on television shows like Oprah and The Dr. Oz Show.
Charles studied music theory and composition at Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona, and later studied with drummer Gil Sharone, who is known for his work with Dillinger Escape Plan, OTEP, and Stolen Babies. More recently, Charles studied with legendary big band drummer Ed Shaughnessy, probably best known for his years as the drummer for The Tonight Show Band on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Charles has a wide range of influences and experiences in the music world. His background and greatest strengths are probably in rock and progressive rock, such as his work with well-known local guitar giant Ronny North, and the progressive rock band Mind Meld, but he is always expanding his skills in new areas and has enjoyed great success playing in musical projects ranging from metal, rock, progressive, blues, country, and pop. Charles plays with UK artist Shaughnessy, local singer-songwriters Kris Angelis and Juliet, the rockabilly group The Fat Sleepers, and he was the house drummer for the Cats-a-Renos, playing the Wednesday night Blues Jam at the Hollywood landmark, The Pig N' Whistle.
Charles also enjoys composing his own solo pieces and working with other musicians and artists on creative projects, such as his wildly popular music video Amadeus. To Charles, the drum set is a musical instrument that he feels needs to be explored and tested further. "I'm not a drummer," he will tell you, "I am a musician who plays the drums."
Be sure to check www.charleswiley.net for tour dates and news.