Charlie “Guitar” Swisher- Music Bio

Garrick Charles Swisher aka Charlie "Guitar" Swisher was born April 6th 1967 in
Cristobal, Canal Zone in The Republic of Panama.
He is a Printer and Die Cutter by trade, but also an aspiring song writer and
Multi- Instrumentalist. Early childhood memories playing a family owned
Sears Silvertone Organ with siblings and friends set the tone for what was to
become a life long passion for Music, Art and Live Performance.
Charles Mejia Swisher (father) was the Harbor Master of Gatun Locks of the
Panama Canal and played the organ and guitar in his spare time.
Arden Lou Cooke (mother) was also born in the Canal Zone in Gamboa.
She worked in the accounting department of The Port Captains Office
and also for the Marine Traffic Control.
Early music influences were Panamanian Artists like Lucho, Ruben Blades
and local rock bands that formed in garages and The Teen Center in Ft. Amador.
Moving to Dallas, Texas January of 1982 found himself right smack down in the
middle of an exploding Blues Scene with Artists like Stevie Ray Vaughn,
The T-Birds, Nitzinger and scores of local Blues Clubs like The Bluebird, JJ's
Blues Bar, The Cellar, Poor Davids Pub and Mother Blues. Finding inspiration
in Dallas/Ft.Worth was a chance meeting with BB King and Stevie Ray Vaughn
during a performance in the Fairmont Hotel that sealed the deal.
First band out of high school was called 90 Proof (1985-1993), then Austin
Nickels Band, PhillisDeans, Identity Crisis, SIR 7, and RainMaker round out
the names he has used playing in the Dallas-Ft.Worth Metroplex.
Garrick's Guitars and Amplification by choice are Fender Instuments but
also plays Ibanez, Sigma, and Peavey. Sound and Expression pedals from
Boss, Ibanez, Crybaby Wah and MXR give his playing style a little "grease".
Garrick is currently playing with the original SIR 7 band members who have
25 original songs and have played over 150 Live Performances to thier credit.