Charlie McCoy is a Grammy Award winning American session musician noted for his skill on a wide variety of instruments, particularly the harmonica. Charlie McCoy has played on dozens of hit records, including work with such legends as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Simon and Garfunkel, George Jones, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and many more.

“After that record [Roy Orbison’s ‘Candy Man’] hit the radio, my phone started ringing and still is after 59 years.”

It’s absolutely impossible to cover your discography. You appeared on more than thousand of albums and have recorded a ton of solo albums. Would it be possible for you to choose a few collaborations that still warm your heart?

Charlie McCoy:

1) My first session with an unknown female singer from Sweden named Ann Margret.
2) My 2nd session, Roy Orbison, ‘Candy Man’ backed with ‘Blue Bayou’. After that record hit the radio, my phone started ringing and still is after 59 years.
3) George Jones, ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today’, many say it’s the greatest country record of all time.
4) My own ‘The Real McCoy’ album, it won the Grammy.
5) Recording with Elvis on 12 albums.
6) ‘The Boxer’ with Simon and Garfunkel. I played the bass harmonica
7) ‘Everybody Must Get Stoned’ by Bob Dylan I played trumpet.
8) ‘Pretty Woman’ Roy Orbison, I played baritone sax.

Those are a few of my many blessings.

Was music a big part of life in the McCoy household? What were your first musical involvements?

I started playing harmonica at age 8. 1949 the harmonica cost was 50 cents and a box top (the name of my autobiography, ‘Fifty Cents and a Box Top’). That year for Christmas, I got a guitar.

What were some of your first musical involvements?

I was in chorus all six years of middle and high school. From 8th grade on, I was student conductor.

Where did you meet Wayne Moss?

I came to Nashville in 1960. I guy called me that I know from Florida and said that he normally played in a rock band, but he was going to work on the road with a country artist and the band needed a bass player. I told him that I didn’t play electric bass. He said I should go over and meet Wayne Moss, the leader of the band. So I met Wayne, and he helped me with the bass.

“Less is more”

You played together in wonderful projects such as Area Code 615 and Barefoot Jerry. Please share your recollections of the sessions. What were the influences and inspirations for the songs recorded?

Area Code 615 was a bunch of studio musicians who wanted top try to create something on their own. We made two albums, and were then dropped from the label because we wouldn’t tour.

The band then called it quits but Wayne, Kenny Buttrey and Mac Gayden wanted to do something else so they formed Barefoot Jerry. I was a guest on their first album and their 6th album.

Would you like to comment on your playing technique? Give us some insights on developing your playing technique.

When I came to Nashville, I was a blues harp player like Jimmy Reed or Little Walter. My first few sessions were bluesy so I fit right in. As time passed, I could see a need to get away from the blues. I stared listening to the country instruments and trying to play the things that they did. I also learned in Nashville session work, “Less is more”. So I became very selective when I played behind singers. I was also enjoyed playing melodies. The combination of all of these things created what is “My style”.

What currently occupies your life? What are some future projects?

I am still doing session work and about 25 concerts a year (during normal times). I have made 43 solo albums, 1 EP and one instructional DVD. I have plans for future albums but waiting until the pandemic blows over.

Let’s end this interview with some of your favourite albums.

Some of my personal favorite albums are; 1) ‘The Best Of Little Walter’ 2) ‘The Best Of Muddy Waters’ 3) ‘The Look of Love’, Diana Krall 4) ‘Mi Tierra’, Gloria Estefan 5) ‘The Christmas Album’, Manhattan Transfer.

Thank you. Last word is yours.

I consider myself one of the most blessed guys around. I have done nothing in my whole life but what I love to do. I have worked with so many amazing musicians, singers, engineers, producers and artists. I have toured most of Europe and Japan, and I have friends all around the world. (If you look at my Facebook page, you’ll see posts in 8 languages). I have a great wife and a great family, my health is good (I’ll be 80 next year) and I am still crazy about music. In the future, I hope I make it to playing that heavenly band. Charlie McCoy

Klemen Breznikar

Charlie McCoy Official Website / Facebook