Today we’d like to introduce you to Chuck McDowell.
Louisiana born, Georgia raised, Chuck McDowell, is an award-winning singer-songwriter and entertainer with a reputation in songwriting circles around the country as being remarkably prolific. Clever and driven in his pursuit to write better songs, his focus and energy has gained attention from, and garnered co-writes with some of the most lauded songwriters & lyricists of our day including Phil Madeira, Michelle Malone, Dan Navarro, Wyatt Easterling, Beth Wood, Merrill Farnsworth, Brooksie Wells, and Jen & Scott Smith (Naked Blue).
Humor and depth often intertwine letting the listener filter which they receive. His live performances are known for making people smile, laugh, cry, clap, sing, shout, and stomp. You’ll probably pick up his influences, though they are filtered through his unique and playful instincts and Southern upbringing.
Over the last 15 years, Chuck has dived into his passion and commitment to music and the wonderful connections it creates between people. A romantic, an innovator, and a wildly creative personality, he put together the eclectic ESOEBO (Eclectic Selections Of Everything But Opera), a guitar/cello duo with Gail Burnett, performing a deep catalog of original material with the occasional and delightful surprise of newly interpreted, re-imagined cover songs.
His focus is paying off, winning the South’s most prestigious songwriting competition, Eddie Owen Presents – Songwriter Shootout, charting on AAA and Americana Radio, consistently selling out The Red Clay Music Foundry in Duluth and booking high profile appearances at the 30A Songwriter Festival, International Folk Alliance and SXSW. Gwinnett Magazine named ESOEBO Best Entertainer of the Year.
Chuck is also the host of the web-based tv show for Eddie Owen Presents called Wednesday Writer Series featuring two national and one local songwriter.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
We’ve never had a specific road but rather moved toward the best opportunity available.
In August of 2015, I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. During that time I’ve had five major surgeries, two of which I nearly died. There have been over 50* rounds of chemo, gone through radiation treatments twice, three bouts of pneumonia, parts of my colon, liver, lungs, and brain have been removed. Yet, our music has expanded at a pace greater than anything imaginable.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about ESOEBO – what should we know?
Singer-Songwriter and band member of ESOEBO. I’m a vocalist and guitar player. Most proud we continue to get better. ESOEBO stands for eclectic selections of everything but opera, and that’s the music we play. We also don’t practice. Our motto is our current gig is practice for the next gig. We play be heart not charts.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
The band members:
-Gail Burnett – Cello, Vocalist
And five pc band:
-Jonathan Cullifer – steel guitar
-Kirk Sarkisian – drums
-Ryan Robertson – upright bass
-Eddie Owen of Eddie Owen Present: Red Clay Music Foundry provided a first class environment for first-class opportunities.
-Our families for their love and support.
-Charlie Stewart of Handshake MGT is our manager and is an amazing idea guy.
-Jen Smith of Nake Blue is an ongoing mentor
-Robert McDowell, my son and member of Manchester Orchestra, is a mentor and producer of 3 of our albums
-Phil Madeira, member of Emy Lou Harris’s Red Dirt Boys, is a co-writer and producer 2 of our albums. Phil brought in the Red Dirt Boys for the studio musicians.
Pricing:
- CDs are available for 12.99 at Perimeter Bookstore in Johns Creek
Image Credit:
Lou Ramondi, Steve Glass, Harrison Hudson
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
