By Michele Robertson
Charles “Charlie” Ingraham, a 2014 Carlsbad High School graduate, has just released his first album as Charlie and The Rangers, titled Come On Down, available on all streaming platforms like YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Pandora, etc. The song Teenage Days was the first song they released in August of 2022 and the first on the album. Teenage Days pays homage to growing up in Carlsbad. If you’ve ever cruised the back roads, gone fishing at Six Mile Dam, or enjoyed some time outdoors, this song will bring those memories back. Ingraham recorded the video for Teenage Days in and around Carlsbad. You can check it out on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j80I8Q1jTT8
During high school, Ingraham participated in football, cross country, track, and choir. He continues to sing and run, recently participating in an alumni run with the CHS Cross Country team at their season-opener time trials in August. “I love to stay active and stay in shape,” he said.
In addition to working full time, Ingraham volunteers at Sunset Church of Christ as a youth intern, working with grades six through 12, teaching class and organizing trips. “Around town, I normally participate in the Cavern City Renaissance festival; I’m usually singing the pirate shanties. This past year, I volunteered for CavernFest for the first time with Carlsbad MainStreet.
“I’m currently serving in the National Guard as a heavy equipment operator. My main goal right now is to get my Sergeant rank,” Ingraham said. He’s been serving with the National Guard since 2016, returning after a short break.
Ingraham started playing solo in bars in 2018, then started doing full band in 2020. He learned to play guitar in 2017 and started writing songs that year as well.
“We’ve been working on our album for two years now. At first, I wasn’t going to give the album a title until we started recording Come On Down. I think it’s not necessarily our best song; it could be to some people. But I think it’s our most dynamic and most different song. I think it is one of our best, and I hope people enjoy it,” he said.
Ingraham’s favorite part of performing is seeing people smiling, singing along, and dancing. You can catch Charlie and The Rangers opening up for Pat Green at Red Dirt, Black Gold in Artesia on Saturday, September 28. They go on at 5 p.m. Locally, he’s performing solo at Milton’s Brewing on Saturday, October 5, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
“I hope when people see us (Charlie and the Rangers), they get to see an energetic, authentic country band, and I hope we remind listeners of a young Aaron Watson or a young George Strait. And I always hope people enjoy our brand of Country Music,” Ingraham said.
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