This week we talk with Charlie Monk, The Mayor of Music Row, about the art behind networking, how to self-promote, and the true power of authenticity, in music, but also in business.

About our Guest: Charlie Monk, also known as “The Mayor of Music Row”, is well known for his contribution to the Country Radio and Country Music industry. Charlie founded Country Radio Seminar in 1969. The Monk Family Music Group was named ‘Publisher of the Year’ in 1998. Monk received the ‘Joe Talbot Award’ from the Country Music Association in 2021, which honors “exceptional leadership and dedication to the preservation and promotion of Country Music’s values and traditions.” His birthplace of Geneva, AL recognized him by naming a section of Westville Ave as ‘Charlie Monk Lane.’ And in 2014 Charlie was inducted into the ‘Alabama Music Hall of Fame.’ Charlie is an active member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Gospel Music Association, Academy of Country Music, Nashville Songwriters Association and the Country Music Association. After beginning his broadcast career in several Alabama markets, Charlie headed to the Music City, Nashville, in 1968 for a broadcasting job. Upon arrival he had some songwriting success co-writing songs with Keith Stegall, Jim McBride, Charley Pride, Eddy Arnold, Jerry Reed, Jimmy Dean, and Pat Boone. Three very notable artists that Charlie fostered are Randy Travis, Kenny Chesney and Aaron Tippin, who all have become major Country Music artists. Charlie continued to work in the Country Music industry in several capacities for Acuff Rose Music Publishing and ASCAP until finally he focused on his own company, ‘Monk Family Music Group,’ where many songwriters and artist careers were born and developed. In recent years Charlie was hired by SiriusXM as a consultant to help develop music industry connections. But Charlie’s talent as a broadcaster lead him to begin work as the host of Willie’s Roadhouse, a radio satellite channel under Sirius XM Radio station. Until very recently, Charlie’s broadcasts could be heard seven days a week. He’s finally cut back to two days per week but Charlie’s unmistakable radio voice can still be heard on Willie’s Roadhouse. Charlie is married to his wife Royce, and they have four children and many grand children.

Follow and contact: SiriusXM – Willie’s Roadhouse