Vince Charming is a multi-talented performer who has been delighting California audiences for over twenty years. As a leader and songwriter for the ‘Lektrik Submarine, he helped pioneer the neo-psychedelic wave that hit Berkeley in 1983. In 1985 he formed and led the Coffee Achievers whose original and high energy blend of Rock, R&B, Reggae and Be-bop thrilled Bay Area audiences. In May of 1985 he premiered his original Rock Opera, The Artist, at U.C. Berkeley’s Wheeler Auditorium to a standing ovation. Written under the supervision of poet/author Ishmael Reed, The Artist tells of one man’s struggle to stay true to his artistic vision in the Reagan era.

Not confining his talents to one medium, Charming studied film for two and one-half years at San Francisco State University where he wrote, directed, produced and starred in Sigh, an experimental film blending music and images which interpreted an original song of the same name. For several years Charming ran Three Mile High Studios in Berkeley where he perfected his own production and engineering skills with his own material and that of several other local artists.

In 1993 Charming relocated to Southern California where he became a popular figure at many of the area’s top acoustic venues including Highland Grounds and the Iguana Cafe. Now, Charming is back in the Bay Area! He has recently completed work on a brand new CD, “Five Reel Film.” Described as “aural cinema”, this work presents five vintage Charming originals. Armed with a new vigor, he has resumed performing live his own unique style of folk-rock & pop. His songs demonstrate a diverse range of influences but are held together by his clever lyrics and distinctive vocals. While concentrating on original material, Charming will show his varied influences by covering a wide range of artists.

He has performed at venues ranging from the Hotel Utah, Jupiter, Last Day Saloon, Ireland's 32, the Starry Plough, Blakes, the Oakland Metro, Ashkenaz, the Bistro in Hayward, Johnny Foleys, Becketts, Epiphany Music, the San Gregorio General Store, and the Marin Brewing Company. Performing occasionally solo with an acoustic guitar, Vince Charming is often accompanied by many of the Bay Area’s top musicians. Past performances have featured lead guitar from Daniel Olmsted (New EZ Devils, Soldier of Fortune Cookie), Rich Brodsky (Vicious Hippies, Grapefruit Ed), and sax and harmonies from L.A. club favorite Kenneth Maffeo. In the past two years he has performed as a duo with multi-instrumentalist Michael Grow and has recently added electric and standup bassist Rafael Pozos to complete the all-new Vince Charming trio for live performances. (You can see pictures and hear music from the trio on the page titled "The Vince Charming Trio" on this site.) He makes an excellent opening act for a variety of musical genres and his repertoire is so vast he makes a fine headliner as well. For more information and booking contact:

TONY SPENCER c/o
CHARMING PRODUCTIONS
1733 Bancroft Way Suite #1, Berkeley, CA 94703
(510) 644-3080

email:tonyspencer4@earthlink.net