Though he’s spent his entire life in California, Charlie Overbey’s music is unapologetically steeped in deep Southern influence. Growing into the world of roots rock and alt-country at a young age, Overbey was raised in “the school and church of Johnny Cash” whilst living in an LA barrio called La Habra. All of this crafted the artist’s wide-spanning worldview, which absolutely seeps into his newest album, Broken Arrow. For Folk’s Sake recently spoke with Overbey on his upbringing, his goals, and the adventure so far.
Please tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from and how did you get started in music? Any defining moments along the path to present day?
I was born in Lynwood, CA–which is basically Compton–near where country music in Los Angeles really had its start with the “Compton Town Hall” which most people don’t know about. I grew up in a barrio called La Habra with predominantly Hispanic people which very much had a strong hand in shaping me and my respect for hard work, folk art, low-riders and tacos.
My mum is from Torquay, England & my old man was a hard-working, Johnny-Cash-lovin’, guitar-pickin hot rodder from Lamar, Arkansas. Growing up, I was surrounded by Benny Hill, Hee Haw, Guinness, Scotch and California, all of which which I grew up to have great love for. I started playing bass and drums at about 13 because I knew that’s where the chicks were. It was about the age of 15 while sitting in drug rehab that I knew I was always going to be a road dog musician and songwriter.