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Today's Featured Biography
Charlie Cash
First of all, I liked to be called Charlie. My first wife Mary Ann dubbed that name on me and I liked it, so I kept it. I don't like the name "Charles", it sounds too British or "uppity". Besides, "Charlie" sounds more Sicilian, which is my heritage. (My last name was changed from "Cascio" to "Cash" by my great grandfather for obvious reasons.
After graduation, I attended Southwestern Business College to study drafting. I also went to work at Transco in the mail room. ALthough I like drawing houseplans, my love of music and the guitar took over. I got married in February, 1958, to a Reagan girl. We divorced in April, 1959. I had already joined H&H Music Company in August, 1958, teaching guitar. In June, 1959, I helped to get the first H&H branch store in Houston off the ground. In June, 1960, I had an opportunity to go to Nashville to meet and study with the great guitarist Chet Atkins. I spent 9 days in Nashville with him learning his way of playing which I brought back to Houston and started teaching his technique.
I became pretty popular as I was the only one teaching his style of playing. Also that same month of june i went to chicago to the music convention. Chet was ddmonstrating Gretsch Guitars. He asked me to go to the Gibson Guitar room to see and meet the greatest guitarist ever, Johnny Smith.
In Sept, 1960 we closed that H&H store and moved to Sharpstown Mall. I was drafted into the Army in October, and was stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Well guess what? Johnny Smith lived there and had his own music store.I had to go see him, so I went awol. (I had some Italian friends cover for me.) I was not missed the whole day. We became good friends, I left the army in December, went back to H&H and took a leave of absence to study guitar with Johnny, so I lived in Colorado Springs for 6 months-January to July, 1961. I went back to H&H in July and started the Charlie Cash Studios of H&H.
I remarried in November, 1963 to Lana. By then, H&H started a huge expansion program, so everytime they opened a new store, I opened new studios, employing new teachers to teach all instruments. They ended up with 10 stores so I did quite well.
We had our first child in Aug, 1965, my daughter Lisa. Then came my first son, Luke, then came my second daughter, Michellle. In 1966, I met my friend Sam DiMaggio, who owned Joe DiMaggio's Restaurant on Richmond Ave. I played there for 5 years. We started a record company called "Paisano Records", recording different talent. My good Reaganite buddy, Phil Smith, Class of '56, sang there. To me, Phil is one of the greatest singers and I enjoyed playing with him. I left DiMaggio's in 1970 to start my own band, "C.C. and Company." I got divorced in October, 1972. I got remarried in July, 1973 to Yolanda. She was was a great singer, so she joined the band along with my best buddy Rick Tatum, in July, 1976. I left H&H Music CO. where I had then become manager of the guitar, drum, and sound departments under my friend and great mentor, Red Novak, who is also my son Luke's Godfather. He has been a great inspiration to me.
I started "Charlie Cash Music Co." and opened in September, 1976, in a small shopping center. In 1980, I built a new building 1 block down the street. It was huge and the prettiest music store in Houston. In September, 1982, our first son, Michael, was born. Then in July, 1984, our son Tommy was born. So there you have it, my 5 loveley children: Lisa, Luke, Michelle, Michael, and Tommy. In 1987, I closed Charlie Cash Music Co. Then, in 1988, I broke up the band. In 1989, I started Charlie Cash Motorhomes, renting motorhomes to film companies, which I still presently do. I got divorced in March, 1997.
My oldest daughter Lisa and her husband Rufus have a great band called "Radio London." Their website is www.radiolondonband.com. My 2 youngest sons, Michael and Tommy, play with her. Michael plays keyboard and Tommy plays drums. They are hot, hot, hot!!! I travel with them when they play out of town, running sound. We have been to Boston, Denver, Cincinatti, and Alabama. I am extremely proud of all my children.
I have never recorded for myself, although maybe one of these days, I might. I have recorded behind B.J. Thomas, Joyce Webb, Dr. Denton Cooleys "Heartstrings". I was the first guitarist to play in the Astrodome, behind the "Supremes", in 1965. That night proved that the Astrodome was not built for music.
I always had a hankering to live in the country. I finally satisfied that hankering in 1998, moving to Pleak, Tx. I have a Richmond address, because Pleak doesn't have a post office.
In closing, I have a wonderful life. My love for my children, grandchildren, and the guitar, has kept me pretty busy during my single life. Maybe one day I'll remarry...I said "maybe".! After all, the "guitar" is a very "romantic instrument".
If interested, go to my myspace.com site and see my family and friends. Thank you my children, my closest friends, Rick Tatum, Harold Weeden, Wallace Atkinson, Sam DiMaggio, Robbie Johnigan, Eddie Stevens, and Will Mckinney. You all have stuck with me through the thick and thin. You are "true friends". I love you all.
Charlie Cash, U.G.P.
(Uncertified Guitar Player)
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