Wes Charlton breaks onto the scene with his debut release titled American Bittersweet, available on End Of The Road Records!

This 22-year old, singer/songwriter integrates his Americana roots with modern themes to create a heartfelt and at times haunting vision of relationships, the struggle to find yourself, and the pursuit of the “Promised Land”. With proficiency on piano, guitar, harmonica and Hammond B-3, Wes blends his musicianship with sophisticated lyrics to paint a profound portrait of growing up in rural America, while maintaining a connection to contemporary youth through driving rhythms, electric guitar and the exploration of found-sounds.

Opening for artists like Tim Easton, Stephen Bruton, Michelle Shocked, Pat McGee Band, Cameron McGill, Fighting Gravity, and Virginia Coalition, Wes has played to enthusiastic audiences everywhere.  This semi-finalist in the 2005 International Songwriting Competition and in the Independent Music World Series, is also inspired by the writing talents of others, and has recently finished recording a couple of publisher-sanctioned, industry promos for John Lee Hooker and Sonny Boy Williamson.  Wes played four industry showcases at the 2005 Midwest Music Summit in Indianapolis, including the Sin City party at Radio Radio, sponsored by No Depression Magazine, Sirius Outlaw Country, and the Americana Music Association.  And, just returned from Nashville where he played a couple of shows as part of the Americana Music Conference as well as jammed out at the Sin City Social Club in an all-star event that included other guests like:  Stephen Bruton, Michelle Shocked, Sarah Borges, Anne McCue, and Jonny Kaplan!  After recent negotiations with MTV, keep a look out for tracks from American Bittersweet to be featured on The Real World, Road Rules, and Extreme Challenge.  As a guest artist at the NY Film Academy's summer music video workshop, Wes shot the soon to be released video for "Two Dying Stars" on location in NYC.  Wes continues to tour regionally with his band, while still warming up to intimate audiences at his solo shows.

“I try to channel my own personal insights and experiences into universal themes that most people can relate to. I've learned this from listening to the greats- Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Townes Van Zandt etc...However, I think a lot of really exciting stuff is happening now in music. Bands like Bright Eyes, The Shins, and Spoon... I feel inspired by the success of these bands and the integrity they've managed to maintain. While the label "singer-songwriter" does fit and describe me accurately to a certain extent, I believe my music extends far beyond acoustic guitars and coffeehouses. I see my music like painting. It's dense and multi-layered. Colors and visions bleed into and out of themselves.” ---Wes

From Lancaster, Virginia, Wes Charlton grew up in a musical family, constantly absorbing the talent around him; first singing back-up with his brother while his father played guitar, then learning piano from his mother. It wasn’t until age 14, when he attended the National Guitar Summer Workshop in Connecticut, that his music broke away from being just a family tradition. Drawn to the acoustic guitar, he began writing songs on his own often demoing them on a 4-track in his bathroom. Within an year Wes was showcasing his talents with his own band and opening for groups like regional favorites Carbon Leaf. After leading a number of bands through high school, he gained notoriety playing the coffeehouse circuit while in college in Williamsburg. He soon caught the attention of the production team of Stewart Myers and Chris Keup, and suddenly found himself in the studio cutting his first EP, Pictures and an Empty Glass. With new inspiration and a clarity of vision, he put together his first serious band, OK Fireworks. They quickly became the most popular band in Williamsburg, filling area coffeehouses and venues to capacity.  After playing together for a few years, some band members started to feel the overwhelming obligations of touring while trying to get through school and the group dissolved. On his own, Wes refocused his attention to writing new songs and went back to the studio to finish the tracks for what would become American Bittersweet.

With the help of a dynamic production team, American Bittersweet brings a refreshingly, unique new voice onto the music scene:

Fred Kevorkian (Mastering) from Absolute Audio has worked on a multitude of projects for artists such as: White Stripes, Dave Matthews Band, Jesse Malin, Rosanne Cash, Sonic Youth, Lenny Kravitz and Lou Reed.

Chris Keup (Co-Producer) co-wrote many songs on the Jason Mraz album, discovered Johnathan Rice and produced his first EP, and co-wrote some tracks on his Warner Bros debut 'Worry is Real'.

Stewart Myers (Co-Producer/Engineer) played on the Jason Mraz album, and was signed to RCA Records with Agents of Good Roots while under Red Light Management and touring extensively with The Dave Mathews Band.

AMERICAN BITTERSWEET is now available at CD Baby and Miles Of Music!

Listen to song clips from the new album at CDBaby.  Songs from American Bittersweet are listed to the left of the page under 'Tracks'.