American country singer Charlie Robison has died aged 59 after suffering cardiac arrest and other complications – below is his biography.
Charlie Robison was one of the most influential and respected country music artists in Texas and beyond.
He was known for his authentic and raw style of songwriting, his charismatic and energetic stage presence, and his independent and rebellious spirit.
Robison had a successful career that spanned over two decades, until he was forced to retire in 2018 due to a throat surgery that left him unable to sing.
On September 10th 2023, he passed away at the age of 59, after suffering cardiac arrest and other complications.
Below we present Charlie Robison biography, age, career, wife, children, songs etc.
Charlie Robison biography
Early Life and Education
Charlie Robison was born on September 1, 1964, in Houston, Texas.
He was the youngest of four children of Lawrence E. Robison, a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American military aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and Lucimarian Tolliver, a homemaker.
Robison grew up in Bandera, Texas, a small town in the Hill Country that is known as “The Cowboy Capital of the World”. His family has owned a ranch there for eight generations.
Robison developed a love for music at an early age, influenced by his parents’ diverse tastes.
He listened to everything from country legends like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings to rock icons like The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan.
The budding musician also learned to play guitar and piano, and started writing songs when he was a teenager.
Charlie Robison attended Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, where he played football until he suffered a knee injury that ended his athletic career. He then moved to Austin in the late 1980s, where he joined the vibrant music scene. He played in various bands, such as Chaparral, Millionaire Playboys, and Two Hoots and a Holler, before forming his own group called The Millionaire Boys.
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Career
Robison launched his solo career in 1996 with his debut album Bandera, named after his hometown.
The album showcased his rootsy and eclectic sound, blending country, rock, folk, and blues elements.
He also displayed his witty and honest songwriting skills, drawing from his personal experiences and observations.
In 1998, he signed with Sony’s Lucky Dog imprint, which gave him more creative freedom than the mainstream Nashville labels.
He released his second album Life of the Party in 1998, which became his breakthrough record, featuring some of his most popular songs, such as My Hometown, Sunset Boulevard, Barlight, and Loving County.
The album also earned him critical acclaim and a loyal fan base.
In 2001, Charlie Robison released his third album Step Right Up, which produced his only Top 40 country hit I Want You Bad.
The album also included collaborations with Natalie Maines of The Chicks (formerly Dixie Chicks) on The Wedding Song and Dwight Yoakam on Don’t Feel That Way Anymore.
In 2002, he released a live album called Unleashed Live with his brother Bruce Robison and Jack Ingram.
Robison left Sony in 2004 to sign with Dualtone Records, an independent label that gave him more artistic control.
He released his fourth studio album Good Times in 2004, which reflected his maturity as a songwriter and performer.
The album featured songs like El Cerrito Place (later covered by Kenny Chesney), New Year’s Day (inspired by the death of Johnny Cash), Magnolia (a tribute to his grandmother), and Love Means Never Having to Say You’re Hungry (a humorous take on marriage).
In 2009, Robison released his fifth studio album Beautiful Day, which was influenced by his divorce from Emily Strayer of The Chicks.
The album was more introspective and emotional than his previous works and included songs like Reconsider (a plea for reconciliation), Down Again (a confession of depression), She’s So Fine (a celebration of new love), and Beautiful Day (a declaration of optimism).
In 2013, Robison would release his sixth and final studio album High Life, which was more rock-oriented and experimental than his earlier albums.
The album featured songs like Monte Carlo (a homage to The Clash), Out of These Blues (a collaboration with Ray Wylie Hubbard), Patty McBride (a murder ballad), and a cover of Bob Dylan’s When I Paint My Masterpiece.
Robison’s musical style was characterized by his distinctive voice, which was raspy, expressive, and full of character. He was also known for his storytelling ability, which was humorous, poignant, and sometimes controversial.
He often wrote about Texas culture, history, and politics, as well as his personal relationships, struggles, and joys.
His influences include many Texas legends such as Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Jerry Jeff Walker, Robert Earl Keen, and Lyle Lovett.
Charlie Robison Wife and Children
Charlie Robison has been married twice – his first wife was Emily Strayer and they divorced in 2008 after getting married in 1999.
Robison went through a painful divorce from Emily Strayer in 2008 – they had three children together: Charles Augustus (Gus), Julianna Tex (Jules), and Henry Benjamin (Hank).
Due to various reasons, the singer faced several personal and professional challenges throughout his life and career. He struggled with alcoholism and depression for many years.
Charlie Robison married his second wife Kristen Robison in 2015. They had a son together named Jett James Robison, who was born in February 2020.
In 2018, Robison announced that he had permanently lost the ability to sing due to a surgical procedure on his throat. He said that he had developed a condition called cricopharyngeal spasm, which caused him to have difficulty swallowing and breathing.
He underwent a surgery to fix the problem but it resulted in nerve damage that affected his vocal cords. He wrote on Facebook:
“Therefore with a very heavy heart I am officially retiring from the stage and studio. I thank all of you for everything you have given me over the years; I can’t even begin to tell you what it has meant to me.”
He also thanked his family, friends, fans, bandmates, crew members, managers, agents, promoters, record labels, radio stations, and fellow musicians for their support and love.
Net worth and Cause of Death
Charlie Robison was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician who had a net worth of $4 million.
Robison passed away on September 10, 2023, at the age of 59. Charlie Robison cause of death was cardiac arrest and other complications at a hospital in San Antonio. His death was announced by his wife Kristen on Facebook.
She wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that my husband, Charlie Robison, has passed away today, surrounded by his family and friends. My heart is broken. Please pray for me, our children, and our family.”
Robison released six studio albums, two live albums, and one compilation album during his career.
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