Guitarist and club owner. Charlie Lee Byrd born September 16, 1925 in Chuckatuck, Virginia; died December 2, 1999 in Annapolis, Maryland.
Attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute.
Worked in New York City with Sol Yaged alongside Tommy Gwaltney in late 1947.
Over the course of his career, Byrd had four “home base” clubs where he appeared regularly when not on tour. The first of these was the Showboat Lounge (1957-1967) then Byrd’s Nest in Silver Spring, Maryland (1967-1969). The same Silver Spring location was renamed the Villa Rosa Showboat (1976-1978) and finally there was Charlie’s Georgetown (1980-1984). Byrd also appeared at other local clubs including Blues Alley, the Cellar Door, Etcetera, the King of France Tavern in Annapolis.
Formed Great Guitars with Herb Ellis and Barney Kessel.
Archives at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Maryland.
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