| More on John | - John, 23 is currently studying Art and Visual Culture at Sheffield's Hallam University.
- His interests include music, sport, reading film and art.
- His ambition is to work in broadcasting.
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Everybody has a theory on how to cure a hangover. Hair of the dog, plenty of water, a pint of milk before you go out [as one shop assistant informed me years ago] and so on. Well here's a new one: South Yorkshire's very own blonde-bombshell, singer/songwriter Charlie Barker. To be more precise it's the soothing vocals coming from the voice of an angel. Somewhere between the brilliant 'Fields of Gold' and the delightful 'Big Yellow Taxi' the headache and battle fatigue from the previous night suddenly evaporated. The crowd were also suitably impressed with the days first act. Evidence of which was shown at the end of her set when a few people mobbed Charlie for her autograph. You can understand why the organisers invited her to play after hearing Charlie's album 'Sleeping At The Station', and why Charlie thoroughly enjoyed herself. Although her manager informs me that some who are not in the know do expect a grizzled male, with a Stetson and boots to walk on stage, Charlie is as instantly recognisable as a cowboy. Not only is she wide-eyed, petite and blonde, she is also extremely down to earth and mature for her 20 years. The singer from Bradway would actually admit that she does have the occasional dizzy spell, but she most enjoys spending her time with friends and family and studying at Hallam University towards a media degree. Early beginnings
 | | Charlie performing in Ely |
Charlie is a classically trained musician who instead of coming home one day from school at the age of seven and asking for a dog or a cat asked for a cello after seeing one being played. She has a certain instinct for music passed down to her by her Granddad who is one her greatest influences, "The sort of guy who could pick up any instrument and make it sound at least half decent," Charlie explained. Like a football player starting to kick a ball as soon as he or she could kick one, Charlie started learning guitar as soon as she could hold one. Charlie certainly isn't shy either, the sort of person that wouldn't be afraid to yell across a crowded room just to introduce herself and still retain an element of grace. She goes on to describe herself as not just outgoing but open minded and creative, add wit and honesty to that as well. Her music is described by Charlie in three words "folk, Americana and acoustic" which is influenced by musicians such as Alison Krause, and especially Nanci Griffith. By the age of 17, Charlie was fronting a 13-piece soul band at the National Festival of Music for Youth, and had previously appeared on the BBC One programme 'Next Best Thing'. She has also reached the semi-finals of Radio 2's 'Young Folk Awards' and in 2005 finished second in the 'Young Acoustic Roots' competition at the Wickersley Folk Festival. Here she met Pete Thornton-Smith and Chris Sweeney of RootBeat Records, resulting in the recording of her debut album 'Sleeping At The Station'. Off the back of the album and her live performances a lot of people in the know are saying Charlie Barker is will go far as a musician, because all the right ingredients are there. The talent certainly is, so are the looks and she still has her feet firmly on the ground. If she can find the sort of crossover appeal that A'n'R people consistently drool over, those people in the know could well be right. | 
