Today we’d like to introduce you to Chuck Stewart
Hi Chuck, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up mostly a socially awkward nerd that loved video games and tech but always had this sort of “draw” towards music. My mom sang in the church for as long as I could remember. My grandmother too. When I was 12, this one game came out called guitar hero III and I was hooked immediately. As I was getting good at it, my mom’s boyfriend at the time bought me an actual guitar. It was a piece of crap but I still loved it. I practiced on it everyday. Even found a latin classical teacher at my school. She showed me all she could until I moved to college. At this point, music was just a side thing. I really wanted to be a game developer/designer. As I came back home though, I realized that the gaming industry wasn’t for me ( saw some things that really turned me off). I instead just became a regular developer and IT guy for DC govt. At the same time, I was taking small gigs here and there for fun. When covid happened, I was one of many who were laid off. I had a lot of time to practice and perfect my guitar. This is where I decided to switch careers. I started really putting myself out there. I grew my hair out, took more gigs, started producing music for artists, and bought more gear to help enhance my sound. I got my first tour opportunity with Mykal Kilgore in 2021. This to me changed everything and spearheaded my music career. The price started goin up, I was feeling more confident, more people came calling, life was great. People then started to tell me, “Yo, you’d do great in LA. You got everything they want.” I was really hesitant at first, but as of July 2023, that’s when my new adventure truly began.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve had to deal with my issues. My family wasn’t the happiest with my career change. I was repeatedly chastised for prioritizing music over an “actual job”. Losing my grandfather really hurt as well as he was the pinnacle male figure in my life. I still wish he could’ve seen me play my first arena. I’ve battled depression and suicide multiple years. I definitely wanted to give many times. Sometimes I still have those battles. Even after moving to LA, things only got more complicated in both good and bad ways. Being 2000 miles away from my family and friends is still a very weird experience for me. I miss them a lot. A big one is learning how to be broke. Like REALLY broke. Living in LA is the craziest experience I’ve ever had. Everything is so expensive and as a musician that’s new to the area, you’re not gonna get the big paid gigs immediately. I’ve had to learn to ration and budget really well just to make rent for the next month. Some days not even eating at all. Recently my morals were tested against the biggest pay check I would have ever had. I declined but I see how LA claims many people. I’d say LA is the biggest challenge yet and it’s only getting bigger.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a professional session and touring guitarist. I specialize in Gospel, R&B, Afrobeat, Funk, Pop, Rock, and Jazz. I’ve performed with artists such as Wale, Gunna, Keyshia Cole, Durand Bernarr, Mykal Kilgore, and TA Thomas just to name a few. Currently I’m most proud of simply making the move to LA. It’ll be 2 years in July since I got here and already I’m working with high profile artists both in studio and on stage. I attended my first NAMM and even got to play on a stage there. One thing I am proud of is my work ethic. Since the minute I got here, all I could think about is “what’s the move?” How can I network most effectively? Where can I showcase my skills? My very first day here I attended a jam and talked to as many people as I could. I find connecting with people in person is much better than simply messaging in instagram. Now, many of my heroes are also now my friends and I take great pride in that.
How do you define success?
Success is simply meeting your goals that you’ve set. I never believed in what society’s definition of this was. We all start with different positives and negatives in our lives. But if your goal was to wake up and make to work and you did it, congrats!! You’re a success. Now I do believe in levels of success. Tiers if you will. Many of us will achieve different goals in life. After we’ve reached them, what then? We can’t just do nothing. There’s no meaning in that. We are responsible for setting and moving our own goal posts. I successfully learned how to play guitar. I successfully played my first gig. I successful produced my first song. I successfully moved to LA. I successfully played my first tour. All these goals I’ve had set at a point in time and I’ve since had to expand my goals each time I reach them. I see that I can jump this high. Let’s see if I can get any higher. That’s the mentality I have. The yearning to do more. That is how success to me is measured.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chuckyrooztah?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@chuckyrooztah?_t=ZP-8v5wrpd02z1&_r=1
Image Credits
Christopher Onixx
BeeLoe Blake
