Charlie Peacock

Charlie Peacock
Candid photo at piano (2008)
Background information
Birth name	Charles William Ashworth
Also known as	Charlie Peacock
Born	(1956-08-10) August 10, 1956 (age 60)
Origin	Yuba City, California U.S.
Genres	Contemporary Christian music, jazz, pop
Occupation(s)	Songwriter, musician, record producer
Instruments	Voice, piano, keyboards
Labels	Exit, A&M, Island, Sparrow, re:think, Runway Network/RED
Associated acts	Ten Out of Tenn, Out of the Grey, Switchfoot, The Civil Wars, Jeff Coffin, Kris Allen

Charles William Ashworth (born August 10, 1956) better known by the stage name Charlie Peacock is an American singer, songwriter, pianist, record producer, session musician and author. His albums include the instrumental jazz recordings Love Press Ex-Curio and Arc of the Circle and his latest vocal project No Man's Land (2012). He has been part of the creative team for several successful songs and albums including Amy Grant's "Every Heartbeat" (1991), Switchfoot's "Dare You to Move" (2003) and both of the The Civil Wars' studio albums — the Gold certifiedBarton Hollow (2011) and the self-titled follow-up (2013) which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album sales chart.

Peacock was born in Yuba City, California and his father was a trumpeter and educator. As a youth he was inspired by the music of John Coltrane.

During junior and senior high Peacock received instrumental and theory instruction from his father and a local educator. Peacock, then known as Chuck Ashworth, left Yuba City High School after his junior year at the age of 16.

After leaving California State University, Sacramento in 1976 Peacock began playing jazz piano in the band, The Runners. He met author Frank Kofsky at California State University in Sacramento and through him met various jazz artists such as Andrew Hill.

In 1978, songwriter Stephen Holsapple recorded Peacock's vocal compositions and they began writing songs together. He began performing at Maurice's American Bar and his song "So Attractive" was placed with a music publisher. Vocalist and songwriter Sal Valentino asked Peacock to join his band and gave Peacock's music to his industry friends. In 1980 A&M Records signed Peacock for a demo recording with producer David Kahne.