Events

Charlie Wilson’s “In It to Win It” at the Paramount Theatre, April 13

Published

7 years ago

April 5, 2018

With a long list of number one singles, sold out tours and a best-selling memoir, Charlie Wilson has more than proven that he’s “In It to Win It,” the title of his latest album. Prior to having his twelfth number one single, Charlie Wilson gave fans “Burn Rubber on Me,” “Outstanding” and “Early in the Morning,” as the founder of the Gap Band. Nowadays as a solo artist, the hits keep on coming with “There Goes My Baby,” “I’m Blessed” and “Chills”.

Having survived addiction, homelessness and prostate cancer, Wilson says, “You can do anything in life; just keep it simple, believe in God and make God your first love,” he said.

In his darkest moments Wilson said he simply asked God to preserve his life and give him a chance to make music. “God is amazing—ask, trust and believe,” he said

Often referred to as Uncle Charlie, the solo star has collaborated with Snoop Dogg, T.I. and says he hopes to work with John Legend one day.

“I was actually with John one day and mentioned working with him. All of a sudden he pulled up an entire file labeled Charlie Wilson,” Charlie added.

“In It to Win It” was nominated for three 2018 NAACP Image Awards, Outstanding Male Artist, Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration and Outstanding Album. The set boasts the Billboard number one lead single “I’m Blessed” featuring T.I., which was one of the fastest rising top ten singles on the Urban Adult Contemporary chart and was Wilson’s first number one on the Gospel Singles chart.

Wilson was recently honored at the 2018 NAACP Image Awards with the first ever Music Makes A Difference Award, a tribute to his 22 years of sobriety, assisting the homeless and educating the African-American community about prostate cancer. “It was truly an overwhelming experience to receive this award,” stated Wilson.

“Early detection is key in the fight against cancer and I urge men to be your brother’s keeper and encourage one another to see a doctor regularly,” he said.

“’I’m Blessed’ says exactly where I am in my life, blessed to still be making music that people want to hear,” says Wilson. “2017 was a tough year for so many people around the world, so I was proud to release a song to remind us that we can all find some blessings in our lives.

As far as 2018 and the future, Wilson says he’s going to continue making great music. “I love performing for people – it keeps the little boy inside of me alive.”

“In It to Win It” features songs with Pitbull, Wiz Khalifa, Robin Thicke, Lalah Hathaway and Snoop Dogg. True to his faith and life testimony, Wilson unleashes his powerful tenor on the uplifting track, “Amazing God” and romance songs “Precious Love” and “New Addiction.”

Before launching his solo career in 2000, Wilson racked up a string of hits in the late ‘70s and ‘80s as front man with the Gap Band. He chronicled his odds-defying life and career in his 2015 best-selling autobiography, “I Am Charlie Wilson.” On April 13, Wilson performs at the Paramount Theater in Oakland.