Chicago Charlie and the Businessmen

Born in 1957 in Chicago, a city where blues is king was born a Bluesman. Starting in his teens Chicago Charlie would slip into the great blues clubs of Chicago. Teresa’s, Checkerboard Lounge, Biddy Mulligans, Wise Fools Pub, Kingston Mines and others where the blues legends played back in the day. This is where he learned first hand what blues music was all about. Fast forward a few years and Chicago Charlie has close relationships with the same legends he saw as a teen. The “Fathers” of the blues took him under their wing and taught him first hand how and when to play. He honed his skills with people such as James Cotton, Jr. Wells, Eddie Taylor, Sunnyland Slim, Lee Jackson and Jr. Wells just to mention a few. Chicago Charlie earned the blues he plays. His mentor Homesick James would take him to clubs and have him play with the old schoolers as well as Homesick James main harp player where he played the Chicago Blues Festival along with his own band The Businessmen.
Chicago Charlie played at the first nine Helena Blues Festivals. Sunshine Sonny Payne who was like a father figure to him said he was the closest to playing like Sonny Boy Williamson and his style was unlike any he has ever known. “It’s definitely his own style.”
Chicago Charlie was and is respected by the finest “old school” musicians to this day!

For over thirty years The Businessmen were simply known as the band behind The legendary Chicago Bluesman "Homesick James". Homesick was the life long mentor to The Businessmen until his passing in 2006. They took this master's guidance as gospel. The mojo Homesick imprinted on this band can't be overstated. It will nearly be impossible to find a group as deeply routed in the blues. They are one of the most faithfully authentic and colorful blues bands on the circuit today.