Charlie Thomas was a career guitarist and vocalist from the age of 19 until his passing in 2021. In 2017, he was inducted into the Maryland Entertainment Hall of Fame.

In college, he studied musical arranging with Bill Potts, the world renowned “Porgy and Bess” arranger and pianist. In the 80s, Charlie performed at a jazz studies clinic in DC with trumpet legend Clark Terry. Charlie has also greatly enjoyed his expertise at rock clinics at local high schools in MD, DC and VA. His recording credits were long and distinguished and he is a first call session player at many of the studios in DC metro area. At Omega Studios in Rockville, MD, Charlie was part of the Beta Test Recording Ensemble, which assembles annually to record big band jazz arrangements written by some of the country’s finest Jazz composers.

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Charlie performed frequently with “Swing Machine,” a 17-piece jazz band comprised of current and former members of the military’s premier jazz ensembles (i.e., “Airmen of Note,” “US Army Blues,” “Commodores”). Charlie was a featured performer on numerous records within DC’s Ethiopian community. He performed for every president from Ronald Reagan to Barack Obama at many private gatherings as well as the inaugural balls. He also was a featured combo guitarist at the Vice Presidential mansion. Charlie's credits included tours with the USO “Miss USA” shows visiting Latin America and the Caribbean backing several performers.

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Charlie was a founding member of the variety band “Street Life,” performing hundreds of society and corporate events, in addition to weddings and public clubs. He continued his career playing guitar and singing at private events and public bars in the band “Chuggalug,” covering a huge variety of mainstream music to include Jimi Hendrix, Journey, Led Zeppein, Elvis, Joe Satriani, Foo Fighters, James Taylor, Lady Gaga, Pink, Katy Perry, jazz standards, etc. Charlie’s latest band “Us!” performed original pop/rock music, and released a 14-song CD in 2015.  In 2016, Charlie joined Capitol/EMI recording artist “Face Dancer” as guitarist and vocalist. Charlie was the humble epitome of what it means to dedicate your life to music as a full-time career musician.