As a young adult, Charlie took his banjo and guitar and left his Indiana home for Seattle.  In 2003, he became a founding member of the The Tallboys String Band.  Soon after, he met his future wife, Charmaine Slaven, and they formed the duo, Squirrel Butter.   More recently, he started honky tonk dance band, The Lucky Shots, which features him on electric steel guitar.  

On banjo Charlie plays clawhammer and finger styles with great skill and creativity.  His love of and knowledge of old-time, bluegrass, country, blues and jazz is evident in his banjo playing.  

An avid songwriter, he writes music with depth, character and variety.   He has many original songs on the dozen or so albums that have been made by himself and his various bands.

He has performed & taught at the following notable events, festivals, & music camps:  

The Prairie Home Companion

Festival of American Fiddle Tunes

Wintergrass

Bumbershoot

Pickathon

Nimble Fingers

Moose Jaw Festival

Topanga Bluegrass Festival

East Vancouver Old Time Social

Berkeley Old Time Convention

Zig-Zag Music Camp

Willamette Valley Old Time Social

Hermit Music Festival

Dare to Be Square West

Bear Hug Dance Camp

Olympia Old Time Festival

Portland Old Time Gathering

NW Folklife Festival

Full Discography:

Charlie Beck- Lowgrounder (2003)

The Tallboys- Hang It On Your Door (2004)

The Tallboys- Wild Hog (2004)

The Tallboys- Yeah Buddy (2005)

Charlie Beck- Your Portable Companion (2005)

The Tallboys- Rubber Dolly (2006)

Bastards of Jazz- Bastardos (2007)

Squirrel Butter- Renderings (2009)

The Tallboys- Around The Bend (2009)

Squirrel Butter- Banjo Clog (2011)

Charlie Beck- Leave On The Light (2012)

The Tallboys- Fresh Daily (2013)

Squirrel Butter- Chestnuts (2015)

Squirrel Butter- Kiss The Cook (2016)