Keani Jordan Period 3 11/01/13

A Living Legend
Introduction

Can you think of someone that inspires you? What accomplishments have they made that gives you the motivation to be the best that you can be? Charlie Wilson is my inspiration because he lives with the perspective that adversity will not overpower him and failure isnt an option. Wilsons hard work, confidence, and determination inspire many to live up to their full potential. Charlie Wilson is also inspirational because he gives the world an outlook of life that everyone is a winner.
Who is Charlie Wilson?

Charles Kent Charlie Wilson is an American R&B singer-songwriterproducer-and former lead vocalist for The Gap Band. With an evocative voice of both past and present, Charlie Wilson has been an active artist from 1967 to the present. According to the Electronic Urban Report , The rejuvenated R&B singer

has proven to the world hes got what it takes to evolve and stay alive in the industry.
Early Life

January 29, 1953, a legend was born. Charlie Wilson was raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma by his parents; Rev. Oscar Wilson, a minister in the Church of God in Christ, and mother Irma Wilson. Before becoming a prominent member of his junior high schools choir, at age 3, he was taught to sing in his parents Pentecostal church. Wilson joined with his older brother Ronnie and younger brother Robert Wilson to sing in the church before their fathers Sunday sermons, accompanied by their mother on the piano. Answers.com states, Secular music was forbidden at home, but the brothers smuggled music by the likes of James Brown into the house. "When I heard Stevie Wonder's 'Fingertips,'" Wilson told Rolling Stone, "it was like, 'I can sing like that, Mom.' My mother said, "Go to bed! Go to bed! You're not going to sing that blues." Although Wilsons choice of music genre was not accepted in the household, his passion for music led him and his brothers to join together in 1967 to form The Greenwood, Archer & Pine Street Band, Whose name in 1973 would become shortened to The Gap Band.
The Gap Band

The Gap Band is one of the most popular funk groups of the late 70s and 80s. While the Wilson brothers began in their fathers church, at home musical lessons were mandatory. The group derived their name from the Greenwood, Archer, and Pine streets in Tulsa, Oklahoma; sooner shortened to the G.A.P. Street band but due to typographical error advertised as the Gap Band. In the early 70sthe Gap Band had been hired as Russell's backup ensemble. With three platinum albums and two gold certificates, the band helped define and popularize an upbeat form of funk music that was infectious and lasting with their group. Outstanding, "Party Train", "Yearning for Your Love", "Burn Rubber on Me", You Dropped a Bomb on Me, and Oops Upside Your Head are among their immense catalog and some of the most sampled songs in music history. Answers.com says, The Gap Band's little-known debut album was released in 1974 on Russell's own Shelter label. It barely made an impact on the charts at the time, however, and when Russell dropped the band as accompanists in the mid1970s, the brothers found themselves without a record label. "Leon Russell got us on our feet, took us around the rock & roll world, then he kicked us out of his nest." Wilson says the Gap Band hit a roadblock, they were dropped and the manager had them blackballed in the industry, threatening anyone who tried to sign them since the group was still under contract with them. On an interview with USA Today Wilson says he couldnt do it anymore and stated, I told him I dont want

anything you have, and I will never sing for you again ever in life. As a result of departure from the Gap Band, by the mid 70s Wilson left Tulsa to focus on his solo career and explore opportunities in Los Angeles.
Solo Career

Choir was a precursor to his musical career with the Gap Band and later his solo career. Charlie concentrated on his solo career starting 1992 with his You Turn my Life Around album. R&B, Soul, Quiet Storm, Hip Hop Soul, and Funk Charlie Wilson was known for his versatile genres of music. Wilson began reaching out to a younger audience in 1996. He is one of the few artists whose vocal style and performance continue to influence some of todays most popular artists including R. Kelly, Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg, and Kanye West. According to Wilson's website, www.unclecharliewilson.com, he is also known as "Uncle Charlie". This name was given to him by rapper Snoop Dogg. According to bluesandsoul.com Wilson states. I LOVE being looked upon as the cool uncle of the music industry - thats why I called my 2009 album Uncle Charlie! Blues and Soul also says , Though it was after signing a multi-album deal with Jive Records in 2004 that Charlie would truly return to the bona fide US chart heights of his Gap Band days - with his first three releases for the label (2005s Goldselling Charlie, Last Name Wilson; 2008s double-Grammy-nominated, R&B

chart-topping Uncle Charlie; and 2010s Just Charlie) having all attained Top 10 status Stateside while simultaneously establishing him firmly as one of R&B musics most enduring and influential vocalists. Even though Charlie endured the adversity of becoming a solo artist, Im inspired because he continued to work hard and kept his belief to prove to his doubters, that his music is timeless.
Adversities

There came a time where Charlie Wilson faced the adversities of alcoholism and drug addiction. On a channel 9 interview Wilson says when the Gap Band was betrayed, there was no music in his life and it was a void when the gap band stopped working together. The gradual commercial demise of the Gap band also sadly coincided with Charlies personal descent into drug addiction . Wilson says for three years he faced drugs every single day, all day. Charlie admits that at one point, cocaine was the love of his life, says Electronic Urban Report. Drugs came a lot more when Wilson faced another adversity of slow cash flow, cocaine, and alcohol addiction drove him to become homeless. According to Wilson people knew who he was but didnt think he was homeless. Having no place to go , he slept in the alleys of LA famed Hollywood Blvd.. On an interview with USA today he says a homeless couple took care of him, giving him a place to sleep and food to eat. The Electronic Urban Report states that when Charlie was homeless he was desperate for rescue. Facing homelessness with a brick for a pillow, cardboard for

a bed, and shopping carts to surround him Wilson reached a low point in his life. There came a day where one of Wilsons cousins recognized him on the street and pleaded for him to check into a rehabilitation center. As a result of his cousins guidance to get the help he desperately needed, Mahin Tat, the director of the rehabilitation center helped Charlie Wilson overcome some of the trials and tribulations he endured. In 1994, Wilson spent 28 days in a Los Angeles rehabilitation center. Known as a womanizer during his days as a vocal star, Wilson married the center's director. "With her and God, that's how I made it," he told Essence, says James Manheim. Prostate Cancer was another one of the many adversities Charlie Wilson was faced with. Mr. Wilson... you have prostate cancer. Those words made up the most devastating phrase I had ever heard, says Wilson on the CNN special. Even though Wilson was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he soon found out the good news that it was detected early enough and could be effectively treated, and as a result he now lives a cancer free life. There were a commodious amount of adversities Charlie Wilson encountered, but with the help of others and positivity he was able to overcome them and continue on to be the great Uncle Charlie many adore.
Charlies Helping Hand

Charlie Wilson has contributed to society numerously. On a channel 9 interview; As Wilson talks about how he struggled getting out of the hole he was

in, he states how for ten years straight he looked for a record company and everyone turned him down. She was a great person for me, he says on an interview with USA today referring to his wife Mahin. With her by his side every step of the way, Wilson sooner found Jive Records and they signed him. Charlie surpassed being neglected by multiple labels and ever since then, he has made an unforgettable contribution to R&B, Funk, and Soul music for nearly 50 years .Wilson has also paved the way for many artists like Aaron Hall, Snoop Dogg, and R. Kelly. Through his music, Charlie uses his lyrics to connect to his listeners; and according to sing365, while known for his vintage party jams, he is also a sensitive balladeer who can bring tears to ones eyes. Another way Charlie Wilson contributes to society is through the National Prostate Cancer Foundation. In September 2008 Wilson was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Wilson used his life to stand for something. A prostate cancer survivor, Wilson is the national spokesperson for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. The PCF established a Creativity Award in Wilsons honor which donates funds to researchers across the country, states bet.com. Wilson plans to keep the knowledge and spread the message throughout society as he started to talk about his diagnoses in his concerts and interviews. According to Wilson, "I've always been performing but now it s time for me to start informing."

Wilson on Top

As much success Charlie Wilson has had throughout his life, it is nearly impossible to believe all the trials and struggles he experienced that tried to hold him back. Charlie Wilsons career spans four decades and he is still going strong. He has had multiple Grammy nominations and according to charliewilsonmusic.com ,Working past his addictions, Wilsonsober now for 18 yearssigned with Jive in 2004 after landing his first No. 1 Billboard Urban AC hit in 2000, Without You. His gold-certified Jive debut, 2005s Charlie Last Name Wilson, yielded a top 15 R&B single via the title track. Uncle Charlie arrived in 2009, garnering the artist two Grammy nominations: Best R&B Album and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for the hit single There Goes My Baby. A year later, Wilson stepped back up to the plate with Just Charlie and his biggest hit to date, You Are. After 13 consecutive weeks at No. 1, the song scored two Grammy nods for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance. Still burning rubber on stage as well, the energetic Wilson averages 75-100 shows a year between concert tours, festivals and private events. As a result of his hard work his solo albums sold over one million copies .He also finds time to give back, Wilson remains committed to promoting awareness of Prostate Cancer. Wilson has been celebrated for decades for his trailblazing career; in 2009 he received the Soul

Train Icon Award and Billboards R&B Adult Artist of the year. Still rising to the top, BET honors him with the illustrious Lifetime Achievement Award.
Longevity

On a Soul Culture Media interview Wilson shares how working with many artists allows him to remain relevant in the music world. A lot of artists claim how tuff the industry can be and most say, The industry can chew you up and spit you out. Although this may be true Charlies determination to not fall short and end up behind the curtain , he works hard and states Im in the studio at 4 am while everyone is sleeping. On an interview with Washington Watch Wilson reveals how the fans play a huge role in his longevity. Wilson believes that being able to stay updated with the fans allows him to carry on with his musical career.
Why Uncle Charlie?

I get many questions about what makes me a Charlie Wilson fan, and how does me being a 16 year old girl take interest in an artist from back in the day. Whenever I get these questions I give the same response, Charlie Wilson is R&B. I remember one day, I was seven years old and I took a trip to Hemet with my cousin Donnica. I t was a rainy afternoon so I wrapped up on the couch and started flipping through the television channels. As I was going through I passed the MTV jams channel and noticed a catchy tune. The video Charlie Last Name

Wilson was on. Being only seven years old I didnt fully grasp the meaning of the lyrics but its beat kept me interested. After this day, I began to look up other songs he had made. As I got older I became fonder of his music because of his versatility. Whether you want a party jam, romantic song, or a song that gives off a serious tone you can rely on Charlie Wilson to get the job done. Charlie Wilson is someone I would say I admire. One reason I can say I admire him is because of his lyrics. Wilsons lyrics are heartfelt and I admire how his songs reflect his life testimony. Every song Wilson makes has a meaning behind it and that is why his music attracts so many listeners. According to charliewilsonmusic.com, If I Believe., testimony and autobiography, the pianodriven track starts slowly and builds to a crescendo, ending on a beautifully sustained note carried solely by Wilson. I can always count on you / You never let me down / My trust in you will never leave because you know my destiny / So I know if I believe / I can do anything, sings Wilson.I cant go anywhere without my God, explains Wilson of the songs meaning. This is about my faith in him. This shows how Wilsons music comes with meaning to it and reflects how much time he puts into his work. I chose Charlie Wilson as the topic of my paper because I feel that he can be an inspiration to everyone. His life is a perfect example that anything is possible and how we shouldnt let the obstacles we face interfere with our success. Many

can ask what about Charlie Wilson makes him stand out. Its true that a lot of people face the same adversities such as homelessness, drugs, and alcohol addiction. Although this is true, I believe the difference between him and many others is that he knew he needed help and allowed others to give it to him. With the help of his wife Mahin, Wilson demonstrates that getting help with his problems turned his life around for the better. His life reflects how there is always a helping hand around, and at times you have to be willing to let someone step in. Charlie Wilson is also my inspiration because he works hard every single day. It Amazes me how distinctive his voice is, any song that plays you can tell that its the great Uncle Charlie. No matter what the circumstances may be in every performance I have seen, he gives his all and pours his heart out onto the stage EVERY single time. So many people doubted him and didnt believe that he would make it but he used his talent to lead him to the light. This showed me that its not what people say but its what I answer to. Charlie Wilson taught me that the best revenge is not getting even but to prove the doubters wrong. In the words of Charlie Wilson The whole world needs inspiration. Better yet, the whole world needs Charlie Wilson.