About Me

My name is Charles Lemon.

 I am a vocalist and a self-taught musician, playing acoustic guitar, Irish bodhran and a bit of mandolin as accompaniment to the songs I sing. I have been performing in one capacity or another since elementary school, making my professional debut in 2004 as a solo act performing traditional Canadian East Coast and British Isles folk music in and around Kitchener, Ontario.

 Both a history buff and a storyteller at heart, I love the Celtic narrative style that creates songs that capture the attention and draw listeners into the story. Whether the song relates a raucous celebration, a poignant departure, or the everyday joys of hearth and home, I try to capture the emotion of the song and transmit that to the audience.

 In late 2004, I had the opportunity to bring my music to a larger audience with the help of local radio station 107.5 Dave FM. After performing at the station’s annual Comfort & Joy Breakfast Broadcast on December 17, 2004, I was asked to write and record a Celtic-styled theme song for the station’s morning show, The Ben & Darryl Show. This led to several on-air performances in 2005 including Robbie Burns Day (January 25) and St. Patrick’s Day (March 17).

 Since then I have performed all over Waterloo Region and beyond, from neighbourhood pubs and special events in Kitchener, Cambridge, Guelph, Fergus and Waterloo to larger folk festivals including two appearances at the Celtic Sounds Music Festival in Toronto in 2005 and 2006. Also in 2006, I released my first CD, ‘A Pint of Song’. This self-published “live off the floor” compilation of 12 of my favourite traditional tunes has been well-received in the local market, and also serves as a good representation of my live sound. 'A Pint of Song' was followed in 2008 by "Home & Away". This sophomore disc includes several original tunes as well as covers of songs by great Canadian songwriters  Stan Rogers and Ron Hynes. Both CDs are available in hard copy and downloadable formats here.

Since the Fall of 2009, in addition to my solo ventures, I have also been prviding lead vocals and instrumental work for The Shananigans, a 4-piece Irish/East Coast band originating from Paris, Ontario. You can check out the band's music here.

 On a more personal note, I have been married to my wife Toni, to whom I owe so much, since 1994. We have two children., who are doing their best to drive me nuts, but I love them anyway!