Newport This Week

Shea Realizes Dream by Playing Folk Festival



Charlie Shea will continue his musical journey from Nashville to  the Newport Folk Festival

Charlie Shea will continue his musical journey from Nashville to the Newport Folk Festival

Even though Thomas Wolfe wrote that you can’t go home again, one local guitarist is poised to prove him wrong. If you’re lucky enough to be at the Newport Folk Festival on Saturday, July 27, you’ll see former Middletown guitarist Charlie Shea on stage as a member of Nashville songwriting sensation Rayland Baxter’s band.

Newport This Week caught up with Shea as he drove back to Nashville following a recent gig in Chicago. Going from Middletown to Nashville to the Newport Folk Festival has been quite a musical journey.

“I left the island in 2014,” he said. “My friends, Evan [Tetrault] and Julian [Ciany], were moving to Nashville and offered me a couch to sleep on if I wanted to join [them]. We got [to Nashville] and spared no time writing tunes, playing shows and making recordings in the living room where I slept. In the time since, we’ve all started to forge our own paths through making new friends and playing with all sorts of people. In Nashville, everyone plays with everyone. I think that’s a special thing and it helps you walk in a lot of different shoes.”

 

Although Nashville is called Music City and is known as the home of country music, Shea has been struck by the diversity of musical genres in the city. “Yes, there are 24/7 country tourist extravaganzas happening on Broadway, but just about anything is celebrated and appreciated by many in the surrounding areas,” he said. “You learn to really value and hold close the hidden gems of realness found throughout most all scenes.”

Shea said he used to be impatient about his music. “I think the thrill of writing something and recording a demo and getting to hear it back was a huge push,” he said. “So, I would just crank things out, inspired by the new magic I learned.”

His approach to songwriting is now more deliberate and collaborative. “I used to just throw a mic anywhere, run through a song a few times, be satisfied and call it a day,” he said. “I’ve been exploring the benefits of working on songs and recording with other people, trying to narrow the focus and think things through a little more. Getting it right and making sure you have something of quality to show for all the time spent cooped up making a mess of a tiny room.”

How did he get connected to Baxter, who is making at least his fourth Newport Folk Festival appearance, has been praised by NPR and Rolling Stone and has toured alongside the likes of Jason Isbell, Kacey Musgraves, The Lumineers and Grace Potter?

“I met Rayland while touring as the guitarist in a band who was opening for him,” he said. “Everyone on that tour was good buds and had a lot of mutual friends. His bass player at the time was also playing bass in my band, so when he heard Rayland needed someone, he suggested I do it.”

Shea has always wanted to be part of the folk festival. “Growing up on the island and playing music, we’d always try to get into the festival one way or another to see how it’s really done,” he said. “It’s always been a little fantasy of mine to be a part of it. To come home this year and be a small cog in a machine of something with such amazing history and sentimental value definitely feels fulfilling.”

Shea’s parents, Michael and Robyn, are equally excited by their son’s appearance. “We think for him to be able to be on that historic Newport Folk Festival stage here in his hometown has probably been one of his goals or a step on the ladder of his music career,” Robyn said. “We, and his whole extended family, are extremely proud. To be honest, we think it’s pretty damn cool.”

To learn more, visit Charlie Shea on Facebook.

To Go

WHEN: Saturday, July 27, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

WHERE: Newport Folk Festival at Fort Adams State Park

ADMISSION: $90

3 responses to “Shea Realizes Dream by Playing Folk Festival”

  1. Ray Davis says:

    Goes to show what hard work,taking chances and having the guts and the discipline to follow your dreams and your passion on life can lead to .
    I am not surprised but so very happy for Charlie and his supportive parents.
    He will be someone we will more about.
    Welcome home Charlie.!

  2. Gianna Sullivan says:

    Proud of what you’ve accomplished and to see you come full circle, Charlie, from Billy Goode’s to the Fort Stage! A supremely talented musician with heart and focus — bravo! Gianna and Kevin

  3. Gianna Sullivan says:

    Proud of what you’ve accomplished and glad to see you come full circle, Charlie, from Billy Goode’s to the Fort Stage! A supremely talented musician with focus and heart — bravo! Gianna and Kevin

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