Chuck's love of music began while listening to his parent's records during the 1950's and his sister's folk albums during the great 60's Folk Scare. In high school, he began playing drums in a rock band and continued for 5 years. His favorite bands were Cream, Bob Dylan, the Byrds, Jimi Hendrix and the Band.

During his college years, he attended an Earl Scruggs Revue concert and was amazed at his virtuosity on the banjo. After receiving his BSEE at the University of Houston in 1973, Chuck purchased his first stringed instrument, a 5-String Banjo, in early 1974. His first teaching job came in 1976 with a class of 10 Banjo students on the UH campus. This was followed with 2 years of teaching private banjo lessons at H&H music in southwest Houston. After moving to Austin in 1980, Chuck continued to perform at parties and small clubs and met his wife, Dale, who plays fiddle and mandolin.

He has now played Banjo for 32 years and began teaching at the Texas Fine Arts Academy in January, 2003. Chuck also plays Mountain Dulcimer, Tenor Banjo and Mandolin. He plays regularly in the Piney Grove Ramblers bluegrass band and at Irish tune sessions around Austin. Chuck and Dale have 2 daughters and live in Lago Vista, Texas.