Rest is not a word that exists in Charles Perry’s vocabulary, not at this point and time. Fresh off of the BET Music Matters stage at the BET Awards, he’s celebrating a milestone in his career, 20 years in the music business. From New York’s musical theatre stages to the pinnacle of Black entertainment, Charles Perry has steadily laid a foundation and footpath towards twenty years in a business that eats its young.
Each step has been in excellence
Excellence is a word that comes up often in conversation with Perry; it’s his driving force, his eternal quest as an artist and a man. That pursuit of excellence has kept him up for nights on end as he films music videos, works to complete his debut album and put together a show befitting of its cause. As a result, he’s driving the staff of the show insane with his demands, because he wants to make sure that his family, friends and fans are treated to a memorable night that celebrates the journey from Brooklyn to the top of the world.
The story of Charles Perry dates back to the early 80’s in Brooklyn or millions of light years away on Planet Soul. Regardless of his origins, he landed in Luther Vandross’ sight while performing in Mama I Want to Sing as a teenager and he’s shared stages with some of the greatest artists of our time like Luther and Michael Jackson. His talent undeniable, his drive unrelenting and goals just a touch away, Charles Perry has steadily worked towards showcasing his gifts on a large stage.
Funny that a YouTube clip of him performing Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes’ “Home” caught the attention of the BET braintrust and earned him an invite to perform at the award show. The video finds Charles at his animated best, showcasing his personality alongside his soulful, gospel-tinged voice. A few months ago that rendition swept the internet, last week, it was performed live in front of millions.
Blessings
As he prepares to step on stage at Joe’S Pub, in the heart of New York City, Charles Perry has lost count of the blessings in his life. However, he’s able to share two with those who are fans of his music, his incredible voice and the twenty years he’s put into the business. He’s brought in a load of some of the best talent around to share the stage with him and by the end of the night, everyone in attendance will have felt the excellence Charles Perry pursues. There are still a few tickets remaining for tomorrow’s show (www.joespub.com) and if you have the misfortune of not being able to attend, follow him on Twitter @TheCharlesPerry or “like” his Facebook page www.Facebook.com/thecharlesperrymusic and as always, may the Soul be with you!
