Chuck grew up in the low country of the South Carolina coast. His father and grand- father were both Pentecostal preachers, so his earliest musical influence was a unique strain of gospel music that was an amalgam of Appalachian folk and black spirituals. He started singing in church before he was five years old and it soon became clear that music would be the driving passion in his life. His first album was Johnny Cash's "At Folsom Prison" and his influences include: The Beatles, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, the STAX stuff, Bob Dylan, Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, Jim Croce, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, and others too numerous to mention. Chuck was a solo performer on the beach circuit for several years before moving to Nashville in 1984 to attend Belmont University, where he studied Music Business and Finance. In 1988 he met producer Marshall Morgan, who signed him as a staff song-writer to Taste Auction Music. In 1992 Chuck opened his own publishing company, Wacissa River Music, Inc. An active champion of songwriters' issues, he served as President of the Nashville Songwriter's Association International (NSAI, 2001-2003). He still serves on the Board and Legislative Committees. His recent honors include BMI's Two-Million-Air award for the Academy of Country Music's 1993 Song of the Year and international hit, "I Love The Way You Love Me," and BMI's Million-Air award for the #1 hit, "Me Too" written with Toby Keith. As well, Chuck received Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association nominations for the #1 hit, "How Do You Like Me Now," written with country artist Toby Keith. Chuck's last single was Toby Keith's "AMERICAN SOLDIER" and Wynonna's "FLIES ON THE BUTTER (you can't go home again)" with Naomi Judd. He currently resides in Nashville, TN with his wife Lari, daughter M'Kenzy Rayne, son Jaxon Christian, and daughter Kyra Ciel. They are making it up as they go. Chuck recently completed his newest album,GOD SHAPED HOLE, which is available online at CD Baby and www.chuckcannon.com.