Media Credit: Erin Shea Charley Silkwood plays guitar outside the Foggy Bottom Metro station Saturday afternoon. He has played there for the last three months.

Charley Silkwood led his band last week during the final song of the night: a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Beast of Burden." His audience did not clump together, looking up in admiration as they swayed to the smooth, rolling tunes pumping out of his speakers. No one demanded he reappear on stage for an encore. In fact, he had no stage and no real band - just himself, his custom-made Brian Moore guitar and a section of a sidewalk outside the Foggy Bottom Metro station.

Four days a week Chuck, or "Charley Silkwood," goes to work in the park nestled between the GW Hospital and Ross Hall. He plays guitar for seven straight hours with his "virtual band," a compilation of MIDI files he mixes himself, and passers-by drop money into his case.

Although crowds generally don't form around this Franconia, Va., resident, those hustling to the Metro terminal or waiting to hop on a bus turn their heads as they pass by.

During his "Beast of Burden" performance, Charley casually strolled around the sidewalk, feeling the music and mingling with his audience. Those around couldn't help but acknowledge his presence, and as they passed a quizzical glance in Charley's direction, they seemed to slow their pace.

Charley said "Beast of Burden" is the "essence" of what he likes to play on the street because of its beautiful, rolling rhythm. He firmly believes that each note he plays is much more than a tone.

"There's something transcendental about really good music," he said. "When I play, it's not notes. It's like little lightening bolts (and) each note screams in it's own little way. I think really good musicians understand that."

And Charley considers himself a really good musician, even one of the best undiscovered guitarists around. He improvised a few tumbling notes and chords to demonstrate the sensation music can create.

"See, each note hits you like a little bolt," he said as he played, curling his fingers and pursing his lips as if the notes really were electric.

Continued...

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