Charlie is completely self-taught on guitar and various other folk instruments. He grew up in New York and at the age of 13 started his guitar “lessons” when he purchased a how-to book in a drugstore. After college, he was mentored by Pete Seeger, Lee Hays (“If I had a Hammer”) and Don McLean, who taught him that being a songwriter and musician was not only rewarding, but absolutely possible.
Do you know, where the sailor goes?
When he goes away, when he goes away?
He leaves his family And he leaves his home
And he sails away, to Bartalina”
-BARTALINA Words & Music by Charlie Maguire-All Rights Reserved
“Bartalina” is a Filipino term meaning “a job you can’t get out of”. Charlie Maguire learned that harsh fact and more-sailing through all of the Great Lakes and up the Saint Lawrence Seaway to Montreal on board M.V. NORDIC TRADER; from Duluth to Detroit; on WILLIAM CLAY FORD; and off Isle Royale and Houghton, Michigan; on the USCG Icebreaker/Buoy Tender SUNDEW-WLB-404 (While she was still in service).
Mirroring the duties of Third Mate on the first two vessels, and as a common enlisted Coast Guard deckhand on the last voyage, enabled him to write about the modern-day life of commercial sailing, that few if any persons can experience outside of choosing it as a career. Charlie was embedded in the day-to-day, hour-by-hour life of a sailor aboard commercial and U.S. Government vessels in a never-before heard-of opportunity to write absolutely authentic songs, and collect amazing personal stories of life aboard the big vessels on the Great Lakes and the maritime services that help keep them safe.
If you have ever seen a big ship entering a harbor, or glimpsed one out on the horizon, and wondered what it must be like to be onboard, then this program is for you. Charlie’s songs and stories make it as real as the wind in your face, the comradeship of the crew, and the movement of the deck under your feet.
- This tour will visit 20 locations in total. For full details and the complete schedule, please visit the Arrowhead Library System’s official website.
