Have you ever gone into a show and had zero idea of what to expect? Normally I like to go into shows having listened to some of an artists’ catalog, especially if I’m not as familiar with them or their music. Originally, I wasn’t supposed to cover the Casper McWade/Charlie Overbey show that the Mercury Lounge recently hosted, but due to some extenuating circumstances, I was tapped to photograph and review the show. I had seen the opener, Casper McWade before, as he’s opened for a few other artists I’ve photographed in the last year. Casper has a song that he wrote coming out on one of the Cody Jinks’ upcoming records, so he’s rightfully excited and proud about that.

Charlie was the artist I was not familiar with. Walking into the Mercury Lounge, I immediately spotted this character that was dressed in head to toe black, sporting a tied bandana beneath a beautifully, unique hat. I would later learn that Charlie actually made his hat and has his own business making hats for others. It’s called Lone Hawk Hats and if you have never seen one of his creations, you need to go check them out! They are gorgeous and I have serious hat envy, which says a lot, as I normally do not wear a lot of hats.

Although Charlie’s debut album, Broken Arrow, came out in 2018, he’s no stranger to the music scene. He’s been touring around in various bands since the ‘90’s with his cowpunk band, Custom Made Scare, and has opened for artists like David Allen Coe, Motorhead, Social Distortion, and southern rockers, Blackberry Smoke. Given his past punk history, it was no surprise that once Charlie took the stage the energy in the place ratcheted up to an 11. On a Sunday night, it’s rare to find a show with this much energy, but Charlie and his band took the crowd along with them on this ride of rock n’ roll music. “Honky Tonk Heaven” started off the set, followed by “Outlaws” and “Trouble Likes Me Best.” Nashville musician, Loralee Garton, was at the bar that night. When she joined Charlie on stage for a bit of rowdy fiddle-playing, the crowd responded to this awesome collaboration with a bit of rowdiness themselves!

My favorite song of the night was not the song dedicated to Eddie Spaghetti, who also appeared on Charlie’s record and recently successfully battled throat cancer, but was instead the song “Shame.” I don’t know if it’s the beat, the words, or both, but it left an impression on me and has made my playlist about once a day since hearing it.

With a quick glance at Charlie’s tour schedule, it appears no new dates are showing for the near future. If you are lucky and see that Charlie is playing near your town, you need to go see his energetic live show with his band, the Broken Arrows, and check out his awesome hat creations while you are there!