RICH, CHARLIE
(1932–1995)
RICH, CHARLIE (b. Colt, Ark., December 14, 1932–July 25, 1995) One of the great wasted talents of country music, Rich gained his greatest successes from his weakest recordings. Prematurely gray and thus nicknamed The Silver Fox, Rich was an exceptionally talented pianist, vocalist, and songwriter who never reached his full potential. The son of a heavy-drinking dirt farmer and a fundamentalist mother, Rich was greatly influenced by jazz and blues as a young musician. Unlike many other country…