
Replay: Charles Julian Fearing Is A Musician’s Musician with Music in His Blood
Charles Julian Fearing has been around music all his life. Fearing began performing on a piano when he was three years old. We’re not talking about a child’s piano. No, we’re talking about an adult piano. His mother was a Mezzo-soprano singer and his uncle, a musician.
“…she would be at the Shrine or the Dorothy Chandler or the Hollywood Bowl so I would always try to imitate what they were doing.”

That early exposure to music would carry Charles Julian Fearing through his youth into his teenage years where he would begin playing the guitar in studio sessions for the likes of Motown. Fearing, as a teenager, is now attending a real-life school of music where his mother, an uncle, and all the musicians and conductors around them are sharing their knowledge and experience with him.
Charles Julian Fearing would go on to become a multitalented lead guitarist, vocalist, writer, producer, and arranger who would record with a long list of industry legends including Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Herb Alpert, Nancy Wilson, Lionel Richie, Bonnie Rait, The Crusaders, and Celine Dion. He also happens to be a friend who lives in Long Beach.
PalacioMagazine.com interviewed Fearing about those days and nights, his love of music, and passing that love down to his son and other young people in Long Beach.
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“Charles Julian Fearing is a multitalented lead guitarist, vocalist, writer, producer and arranger who has performed, written, and/or produced over 250 gold, platinum and multi-platinum records. He has recorded sessions with such industry legends as Michael Jackson, Herb Alpert, Lionel Richie, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Mathis, The Crusaders, Nancy Wilson, Joe Cocker, Bonnie Rait, Tina Turner, and Celine Dion. His three-year tenure with Ray Parker, Jr. and Raydio as lead guitarist, vocalist and writer established him as a respected songwriter as well. He penned tunes with Barry Manilow, Barry White, Star Guard, The Emotions, Master P, Mercedes, and Lionel Richie. Other musical credits include national commercial jingles, in addition to movie and television soundtracks. He was nominated Best Overall Guitarist by Music Connection Magazine.”
Discography
- Lead guitarist – Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra World Tour
- Lead guitar, vocals, and writer – Raydio
- Lead guitarist – Crusaders
Songwriting (Partial List)
- At the Dance, Barry Manilow; Suzanna RCA Records – Gold
- Big Love* sample from the song Wear It Out, Peter Heller EMI Music – Multi-Platinum
- C‘est La Vie, Gonzo-Money Menes Records
- Hold On, Emotions Columbia Records
- Just for You; Road to Heaven; World is a Party, Lionel Richie
Live Performances and Studio Recordings
Alexander O’Neal, Barry Manilow, Barry White, Beau Williams, Benny Mardones, Billy Preston, Bonnie Rait, Celine Dion, Craig David, Dave Koz, Deniece Williams, Dionne Warwick, Earth Wind & Fire, El DeBarge, Enrique Iglesias, George Duke, Gladys Knight, Herb Alpert, James Taylor, Jeffrey Osborne, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jermaine Jackson, Johnny Gill, Johnny Mathis, Kenny Rogers,Lamont Dozier, Lil’ Johnny, Lionel Richie, Manhattan Transfer, Michael Jackson, Patti Labelle, Paulinho Da Costa, Pointer Sisters, Ray Charles, Ray Parker, Jr., Seals & Croft, Sister Sledge, Stanley Turrentine, Stevie Woods, The Commodores, The Crusaders, The Good Girls, The Jackson 5, The Spinners, The Temptations, Timmy T., Tina Marie, Tina Turner, and Too Short.
More on Charles Julian Fearing HERE