Below are some of the friends Charlene has met along the way.

Dave Hanbury • Steve Sweeney • Jen Kerwin • Kip Ledger • Steve Sachse • Janice Martin • Dave Ylvisaker • Cliff Kellogg • Suzanne Orban

DAVE HANBURY has pulled multiple duties in Charlene's recording career. Acting as engineer, co-producer, mixer, guitarist when needed, and arranger on "Barley," Dave has been with Charlene every step of the way.

Dave's constant companion is his black labrador retriever, Max, and though he typically shares the breed's effusive personality, Dave is all business in the studio, rarely willing to praise a take beyond, "That certainly didn't suck."

During the time of Charlene's recording Flickering Images, Dave took over control of the studio. If you're looking for a great small studio with fine personnel who'll work helpfully with you from the beginning of a project, large or small, to the end, The House of Jam II is your place. Contact Dave at dave.hanbury@verizon.net or 301-523-7940. Also ask about short-run CD duplication.

One also can't say enough about Dave as an axe-man. His guitar work can be found on many recordings. Currently he shines as a member of Jack's Mission (see also below) and the Polk Street Blues Band.

STEVE SWEENEY appearing on Charlene's album was the product of fortuitious timing. Charlene had studio time booked after Steve, while she was working on an arrangement for "Velveteen," needing a singer who could sing sentimental song while being neither ironic nor icky, and getting a chance to hear Steve finish up the vocal on a lovely ballad he had composed. "What's that?" Charlene asked. "I think I need a singer like that."

"Believe it or not, that song is actually about an old teacher of his."

So that's how you get a job with Charlene — audition with a ballad about an old teacher of yours while being neither ironic nor icky.

Steve continues to record his own compositions and is currently promoting the album New Butterfly, by his band, Jack's Mission.

JEN KERWIN provided the haunting flute that lends the counterpoint to Charlene's piano on "Faerie Round," and is featured again on the swelling arrangement of "The Shepherd's Carol."

Aside from gracing Charlene's recordings, Jen frequently solos at events and recitals, and runs her own flute school in Germantown, MD. Do you or your child want to play flute like Jen does? Visit the homepage of the Kerwin Flute Studio.

KIP LEDGER was the only choice of Charlene to sing lead for "The Shepherd's Carol." A Franciscan Capuchin brother, Kip also provided the guitar on the track.

Kip confesses that the hardest part about entering a religious order was when he realized that that a vow of poverty would mean sacrificing his guitar collection. Having to share instruments among a community of men hasn't been a hindrance to Kip's musical inspirations and aspirations, however, but rather introduced him to a new group of collaborators, as evidenced by his EP-length recording of "Padre Pio's Prayer of Love," in addition to a wonderful full-length recording of The Franciscan Office, which we can't find available on the web currently but will post a link to the moment we do.

Since recording with Charlene, Kip has taken his final vows (see image at right), which is bad news for any number of rock or country bands that could've used his services, but the best of news for the communities he will serve as a Franciscan brother. He is currently attached to St. Ambrose parish in Baltimore.

STEVE SACHSE is a rarity, a regularly working professional musician — in Washington, no less. Steve can be spotted on stage or in the studio most days and nights, contributing to rock, country, latin, blues, zydeco, and pop ensembles.

Steve too has joined our other friends in Jack's Mission. While his credits are too numerous to mention them all (we should give some of these guys their own page), some of his more high profile work has been with Ben E. King, Lloyd Price, Gene Chandler, Jerry Butler, Mary Wilson (of the Supremes), Ruth Brown, Julia Nixon, Jane L. Powell, The Grandsons, Junkyard Saints, Sin Miedo, Rumba Club, Mambo Combo and the Washington Ballet. Steve doesn't mess about.

On Flickering Images, Steve's plucked standup, bowed standup, and electric bass appear on "Velveteen," "Barley," and "Faerie Round." He also lent a much appreciated ear and some knob turning to the engineering of the record.

JANICE MARTIN brought her Stradivarius to play on Flickering Images, bringing vivid life to the sensual gypsy strains Charlene wrote for "Another Carmen," as well as the lush lyricism of "Pastorale" and "Earley Rising."

There is no shortage of opportunities to hear Janice's wizardry. She is regularly recording, touring, and teaching master classes. She also is too busy to representatively list her credits here, so visit her website when you're done here.

DAVE YLVISAKER was in the right place at the right time when Charlene was shopping for recording studios. His basement studio turned out to be three blocks from Charlene's home, and when she got there she was greeted by Dave's Enid, a chow too similar in stature and temperament to Charlene's beloved Ursa to not be seen as a good sign.

While the studio ownership changed hands during the recording of the record, Dave was there from the beginning to the end. It's his grand piano that Charlene plays on the record, and his deft mastering touch was the last process the recording went through before going to print.

When not mastering Charlene's and other recordings, or spoiling Enid, Dave is a successful industrial composer and recording artist, arranger, and performer. For many years, Dave has served as musical director for renowned DC vocalist Julia Nixon, and he too is a member of Jack's Mission.