“Born country?” Exactly. Charley Jenkins has country roots that run deep. He was raised on a farm in Eastern Utah where he learned how to rope, ride and work hard. Life on the Jenkins’ farm revolved around cows, horses and of course, rodeo. Country music is all about a real cowboy’s life like Charley’s.
“Country is who and what I am. It is only natural for me to sing the songs that I love and relate to.” Charley’s first album, Greatest Hours, was written and produced by Charley with the help of his friend, Jordan Allen. With the success of this album and some personal advice from George Strait, Charley decided to push his career to a new level.
In the summer of 2001 Charley loaded up his truck with everything he owned and headed off to Nashville, Tenn. It didn’t take him long to get his foot in the door in the country music industry. Charley was soon working on Music Row for a song writing publishing company. It was here that Charley learned the “ins and outs” of the country business. He became personal friends with a number of Nashville “greats.”
While in Nashville, Charley released his second album titled, Round Here. He wanted this album to show who he is and what his music is all about. The title Round Here was so fitting. Charley is proud of where he is from and the people who have influenced his life.
It was this love that brought Charley back home in the summer of 2004 to help with the farm and to be with his family and his father who was battling cancer. “Coming home was an easy decision for me, and I will never regret it.” The Round Here album is a tribute to his father and he personally wrote the song “Hero At Home” for him.
With the overwhelming success of the Round Here Album Charley recorded and released his third album in August of 2007 titled Ridin’ and then in September of 2009 he released his fourth album titled Hold On.
Each album allows the listener a true look into a country boy’s life with song titles such as Duct Tape and Bailing Wire, Country Music, Hold On, Right Where I Belong, and Rodeo Clown.
In the summer of 2008 Charley was selected out of 45,000 contestants to one of 12 finalists to compete on Nashville Star which aired on NBC. He was also invited to be interviewed and sing on the nation wide popular Today Show in New York City.
Top Nashville writer, Tony Martin who has written 14 number one songs such as “Third Rock from the Sun”, “Just To See You Smile”, “Living and Living Well”, and “Settle for a Slowdown” said this about Charley’s album. “I love Charley’s album, but it upset me that the song I love the most, As Long As I’m With You, is one I didn’t write – Charley did.”
Charley’s career has been gaining tremendous momentum as he has opened for many top 20 country headliners including LeAnn Rimes, Lonestar, Montgomery Gentry, Kellie Pickler, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner and many many others.
Charley has sung country music for tens of thousands. He has an unusual ability to customize his show to fit the personality of any crowd.
Dan Truman of “Diamond Rio” says this, “Charley Jenkins’. He’s great, He’s real, and he’s full of energy and passion.” That’s what Charley is all about.
Join Charley at the Emery County fair on Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. for the free fair concert. There is a change of location this year for the concert to the new Aquatics park by the swimming pool.
Charley Jenkins is the main event at Emery County fair concert
"Charley Jenkins"