Interested in the fresh new organization, Musselwhite first started to tackle keyboards and you will harmonica. It was not easy growing upwards an awful, light kid for the Memphis, actually one of several steeped songs has an effect on the town given. He decided a keen outcast and you can a complete stranger (themes having told, inspired and you will haunted his music even today). Since a teen, Musselwhite went to people organized from the Elvis Presley and you may hobnobbed with many of your local artists, plus Johnny Bucks and you will Johnny Burnette, nevertheless the a-listers younger Charlie wanted was in fact Memphis’ experienced bluesmen like Hairy Lewis, Often Shade and you may Gus Cannon. If you’re operating a keen exterminator truck due to the fact a day jobs, Charlie stayed towards the South side and you may hung in organization nightclubs in the evening, developing close friendships that have blues icons Little Walter, Huge Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Big Joe Williams, Muddy Waters and you will Howlin’ Wolf.
After the highway from way too many, Musselwhite relocated to Chicago wanting top expenses works
In a short time, he was sitting inside at the nightclubs that have Muddy while others, building a remarkable term-of-throat character. Soon after, Charlie had been paid to play in identical South side area. Listed blues blogger Manhood Shurman claims, “The fresh new black il blues music artists all of the preferred Charlie since the a guy.