photo by Greg Inda
About Us:
Charlie Beck & Charmaine Slaven met at the Portland Old Time Music Gathering back in 2005. They soon began playing music together at Seattle's farmer's markets, including the famous Pike Place Market, where they became one of the renowned busking acts in Seattle. Charlie & Charmaine were also both members of venerable Seattle string band, The Tallboys, along with Joe Fulton & John Hurd, which performed for over 10 years in the Pacific NW. Charmaine & Charlie spearheaded organizing the Tractor Tavern Square Dance series for over 12 years, and a long running weekly community old time jam at Conor Byrne Pub.
In 2021, after living through the Covid pandemic, Charmaine accepted the position of Music & Dance Coordinator for the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC, where she managed the school's celebrated music and dance programs. Both Charlie and Charmaine captained the post-pandemic revival of the Folk School's Junior Appalachian Musicians program, engaging many local youth in learning string band music.
2024 saw the couple relocated to Charlie's hometown of Indianapolis, where they are currently happily living near family as they raise their two kids. Charmaine now works for the nonprofit Country Dance & Song Society, providing support to Dance & Music Communities across the US & Canada.
photo by Greg Inda
Past Performances of Note:
Alaska Folk Festival
Berkeley Old Time Convention
Boston Revels - 2019
CDSS Dance, Music, & Spice Week
Dare to be Square West
Festival of American Fiddle Tunes
Hermit Music Festival
Indiana Fiddler's Gathering
John C. Campbell Folk School
Missoula Old Time Social
Moosejaw Festival
Nimble Fingers
Northwest Folklife Festival
Oly Old Time Festival
Portland Old Time Gathering
Prairie Home Companion - 2016
Puget Sound Guitar Workshop
Puget Sound Revels - 2013
Sacajawea Bluegrass Festival
Vancouver Old Time Social
Wintergrass