Charles Guy & Linda Powers 

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By Mandy Valencia

Ashland Daily Tidings

August 30, 2013

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Guitarist Charles Guy had been writing and performing his own tunes for some time, but something was missing. When he connected with violinist Linda Powers, he knew he’d found the final piece of the puzzle.  Guitarist Charles Guy had been writing and performing his own tunes for some time, but something was missing. When he connected with violinist Linda Powers, he knew he’d found the final piece of the puzzle.

 

“Linda is really good with coming up with melody, so in a sense we’re writing this music together,” said Guy. The duo started playing together at the end of May just before Guy left town to go on vacation.

“The whole month of June while he was in North Carolina, I was listening to his CDs and learning the material,” said Powers.

 

Together they play songs Guy has written that have a Latin flavor and a flamenco flair, as he describes it.

“It’s not flamenco. Anyone who is a flamenco purist would throw something at me. I don’t claim to be a flamenco player, but it has a Spanish flavor,” said Guy.

Guy uses his guitar to lay down the rhythm as Powers weaves a beautiful melody over it.

 

“It’s hard if you write original music,” Guy said. “It’s hard to find people who are really into it. Violin players can be hard to find, especially who are enthusiastic.”

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For the Tidings Cafe, the two performed a tune by Guy called “Medio Tiempo” near Powers’ home in Ashland. To view the video, go to www.dailytidings.com/tidingscafe.

 

Guy spent many years playing top 40 hits in bands and performing solo. Powers previously performed in a more folksy style on guitar, mandolin and banjo, and most recently with the Flat Five String Band.

“With the Flat Five it was more like gypsy swing — there is a lot of Latin music in gypsy swing, so it came kind of naturally,” said Powers.   Guy and Powers have been performing publicly for just over a month and have landed acoustic sets at local wineries, including South Stage Cellars, 2Hawk Winery and Caprice.  “The stuff we do fits in well at the vineyards,” Guy said.

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Powers and Guy will present original tunes at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at Paschal Winery, 1122 Suncrest Road, Talent. “It’s kind of special, you can bring a picnic or they have cheese plates available and there is no cover,” said Powers.

 

Recently the two decided to go wine tasting and brought their instruments along to see whether they could pick up some more winery gigs.“You call people up and take them a card, and they never call you,” Guy said. “We figured we’d take our instruments and play a bit, and it did work.”

At least two new bookings came out of that venture: Sept. 8 at Pebblestone Cellars and Sept. 20 at Fiasco.“This is really good listening music for tasting wine,” said Powers. “Especially if they are drinking Spanish wine,” added Guy.

 

For the fall and winter, they plan to record a new album in Powers’ home. Guy already has been busy bringing over recording equipment.  “Now I have enough new songs for another CD,” said Guy.

After the record is done, the two hope to take their act on the road.“You’re not going to make a living playing music here, you can also sort of burn out,” Guy said. “We’ve also talked about going to Mexico for a couple of weeks and just taking a vacation. We could sit on the beach and write songs, play at night.”

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Reach Mandy Valencia at avalencia@mailtribune.com.