Nick Charles
“Australia’s virtuoso of acoustic blues and roots guitar music”
Upcoming gigs
A life in music...
It’s been decades since the Melbourne Age recognized Nick as “Australia’s virtuoso of acoustic roots and blues” and in those intervening years the legend has grown with every US tour, now totalling thirteen and every new acclaimed album, now more than twenty.
Classic blues and country fingerstyle underpins a vast repertoire, but the influences are diverse. They range from his ragtime guitar heroes Big Bill, Blind Blake and of course Robert Johnson but include obvious references to players as eclectic as Doc Watson, Merle Travis and the modern school of John Fahey, Leo Kottke and even the English icons Bert Jansch and others.
His songs have won countless awards including the Australian Song Contest twice, every conceivable Australia blues award multiple times, and festival song competitions in the USA. In late 2025 a track from his latest album Further Down the Line won the Victorian Blues award for song of the year.
At the recent International Blues Challenge in Memphis Tennessee Nick won “Best Solo/Duo” guitarist from a staggeringly large competitive field further highlighting his standing.
A typical performance can include classic fingerstyle instrumentals such as Sleepwalk and Albatross, reflective Dylanesque lyricism and high energy roots and blues. Along the way you will hear a lifetime’s stories and songs from a vast career. At times you might also glimpse wonderful twelve-string tunes and stinging bottleneck slide on his trusty resophonic guitars.
Nick has headlined at most Australian blues, folk and jazz festivals including twenty-five times at Port Fairy, and multiple appearances at many others.
A splendid time is guaranteed for lovers of fine acoustic music!
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Nick's Awards
Nick Charles’ extraordinary contribution to acoustic roots and blues has been widely celebrated over more than three decades. His artistry has earned him national and international acclaim, with awards recognising his songwriting, instrumental mastery, live performances and recordings. From Australia’s leading blues and folk festivals to major international competitions in the U.S., Nick’s enduring impact on the genre is clear in the honours listed below.
International Blues Challenge, Memphis USA
Vic/Tas Blues Awards
Vic/Tas Blues Awards
Vic/Tas Blues Awards
Vic/Tas Blues Awards
The Age (Melbourne)
Port Fairy Folk Festival
Vic/Tas Blues Awards
Australian Blues Awards
Vic/Tas Blues Awards
Vic/Tas Blues Awards
Australian Song Contest
Vic/Tas Blues Awards
Australian Blues Awards
Vic/Tas Blues Awards
Vic/Tas Blues Awards
Walnut Valley Festival, Kansas USA
Walnut Valley Festival, Kansas USA
Vic/Tas Blues Awards
Australian Song Contest
Australian Blues Awards
Purchase CDs
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My Place
$25.00 -
Travelling Fingerpicker
$25.00 -
Closer To Home
$25.00 -
Further Down The Line
$25.00 -
Grace Notes
$25.00 -
New Kind Of Feeling
$25.00 -
My Place
$25.00 -
Travelling Fingerpicker
$25.00 -
Closer To Home
$25.00 -
Further Down The Line
$25.00 -
Grace Notes
$25.00 -
New Kind Of Feeling
$25.00

Nick's Guitars
Nick is a Maton Guitars' featured artist.
Nick plays and recommends Maton's C.S. Classic six-string acoustic guitar and their SRS70C12 12-string guitar.
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Visit Nick's YouTube Channel
Watch as Nick performs some of his favourite pieces.