as a child and studied at the Saint Augustine, Florida, School for the blind. At three years

old Charles was already trying to involve himself in music. Charles knew a man named

Wylie Pitman who was one of the first people to encourage him in music. When Charles

was a child he would jump in the chair next to Pitman and bang the keys with all his

fingers. Pitman would say to him, "Oh no, son, you don't play like that; you don't hit the

keys with all your fingers at one time. I'm going to show you how to play a little melody

with one finger." Pitman could have said, hey kid get away IM practicing, but he didn't.

He let him play and sit in to learn the piano.

Things started to change fast shortly after that. The first major tragedy in Charles

life was seeing his younger brother a very bright and talented kid, drown in a washtub

when he was five years old. At first Charles thought he was playing, but it dawned on

him that he was drowning. Charles tried to save him but he was too heavy for him to pick

up, out of the washtub. This was very traumatic for Charles, and after that he started to

loose his sight. They tried to save his sight for

do and have your lessons down or at least have a working relationship with the music.

and ended up going on tour. Next Charles did " I Got a Woman" and it became a hit also.

so he took up the clarinet. Later he was able to get in the piano class. Charles had to read

to work for the Elk's Club on the weekends. The trio was called McSon Trio. After a few

They called him in the principals office and said that he need to go home right away.

first performer to be so honored. He has recieved numerous awards from Afro American

showing him around and how to find things. That made it easier for Charles to deal with

play and memorize it. He felt it was very important to know what you were supposed to

him perform. The man felt sorry for him, so he let him sing in the show. The Elk's Club

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1224
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)