On My Playlist
Jimmy Charles, Class of 2003
Jimmy Charles may be living in Nashville these days, but he's always been—and will always be—a Marylander at heart. The country singer, whose songs have millions of downloads, grew up on the Eastern Shore near Ocean City, which serves as a splashy setting for the music video of his Free State-soaked song “It’s A Maryland Thing, You Wouldn’t Understand.” (The video also includes a cameo by TU’s mascot, Doc.)
He first picked up a guitar when he was 13, inspired by his late father, Chuck. “That’s really where I found my love for three chords and the truth, listening to old country songs with my dad,” he says.
He’s performed the national anthem at Camden Yards and Unitas Stadium, shared the stage with the likes of Travis Tritt and Merle Haggard and recorded tunes that have galvanized thousands in their battles against cancer. “I like to inspire people,” he says of his music. Listen to a Jimmy Charles song, and you’ll definitely understand.
In 2003...
Charles came to TU to play football, and after four fulfilling years as a linebacker, he left with a mass communication degree and a burning desire to play the guitar. This is some of the eclectic music that was spinning in his CD player then.
“I Don’t Want To Be A Player No More” by Big Pun
A lot of what I listened to back then was funny stuff, like this. I used to rock this in my Jeep with the top down and in the gym all the time.
“Crawling” by Linkin Park
I love the whole album, which is called “Hybrid Theory.” Chester Bennington’s voice was just amazing. It made you feel everything. It was some raw rock and roll with some hip-hop mixed in.
“You Don’t Know How It Feels” by Tom Petty
My dad loved Tom Petty, and we all have the love of what our dads love. I remember him having that CD and cranking it up in the car.
“A Pirate Looks at Forty” by Jimmy Buffett
My dad loved Jimmy Buffett, and his music really influenced me. This was my dad and I’s song. I sang it at his grave right before we said goodbye.
In 2024...
Charles is busy touring these days, and on May 18 he’ll be on the bill at the Maryland Music Awards concert at Rams Head Live in Baltimore. He’s nominated for six awards, including Performer of the Year. Here are a few tunes that have caught his ear these days.
“Til You Can’t” by Cody Johnson
This song has a great message. It's a fun song to listen to melodically, but the message is there. It’s one of those songs that, you know, take that phone call from your mama because you never know when you won't be able to someday. It’s one of my favorite songs to cover.
“Save Me” by Jelly Roll
My 4-year-old son actually loves this song. He has no idea that it's about addiction—he just loves that song. We sing it together, and he knows it word for word. It's one of those songs that right out of the gate, it grabs you. It just punches you in the mouth. This is the one that really catapulted his career.
“Beer Never Broke My Heart” by Luke Combs
It’s just a damn fun song. It’s definitely one that I get excited when I know it’s getting ready to come up on my playlist. I do probably 60% originals right now and 40% covers, and that's one that's always on my cover list. Everybody knows the words, and they love to sing it.
“We Are Warriors” by Jimmy Charles
I wanted to write a song to say, “Cancer sucks, but we're here to kick its ass.” The surgeries, the chemo, the radiation that they’ve had to endure, and their families have had to endure—they truly are warriors. I sang it to 30,000 people at a breast cancer walk. They were screaming out the words and holding hands. My goal has always been to make a difference and positive impact with my music. This song has certainly done that.