Charles Baty

Born in Alabama, Charles Baty started as a mathematician but ended up a blues guitarist. Baty and Rick Estrin formed Little Charlie and the Nightcats, which went on to tour and release numerous albums, including Night Vision (1993) with guest musician and producer Joe Louis Walker. “Lil’ Charlie” drove more than a million miles during this era, traversing the continental United States dozens of times prior to the GPS era. Maps and memories with a good dash of diner food steered him right. Although “softly” retired in 2008, he can’t help but join a tour now and then, penning a journal as he stares out the van window. Sadly, Charles passed away at the age of 66 on March 6, 2020.
You don’t go to Tucson to eat pizza – Charles Baty blues wisdom

You don’t go to Tucson to eat pizza – Charles Baty blues wisdom

Traveling blues guitarist Charles Baty (“Little Charlie and the Nightcats”) and his fellow musicians with the Golden State-Lone Star Revue are on the road yet again – now in the Southwest, Northwest and California (wait, where did that one gig in Illinois come from?) This round, he and band members Mark Hummel, R.W. Grigsby, Wes Starr and Anson Funderburgh will be not only turning clubs into hot blues joints, but also some outdoor festivals.

Singing the blues: Charles Baty Lone Star Revue tour winds down

Singing the blues: Charles Baty Lone Star Revue tour winds down

Traveling blues guitarist Charles Baty (“Little Charlie and the Nightcats”) and his fellow musicians with the Golden State-Lone Star Revue are nearing the end of their June tour through a few midwestern burgs (is Chicago a burg?). Charles Baty is singing the blues and offering up some tasty blues wisdom.

My Traveling Blues: Charles Baty diner tour & driving tips

My Traveling Blues: Charles Baty diner tour & driving tips

More traveling blues wisdom from Charles Baty: The official “Diner Tour” continued today at one of his favorite spots – Dove Diner in Newcastle, Del. It has an amazing assortment of cakes and pies that he had never tried because he’s always too full after finishing a breakfast there to even attempt a bite.

My Traveling Blues: A life on the road with Charles Baty

My Traveling Blues: A life on the road with Charles Baty

Famed blues guitarist Charles Baty (“Little Charlie and the Nightcats”) is a friend of HI Travel Tales. Although Baty semi-retired in 2008 he still hits the road to perform and is sharing his travel journal with us — a bit of Charles Baty traveling blues wisdom if you will.