Charlie Millard Band at Encore 201

Charlie Millard started playing piano at 11, performing at churches, restaurants, farmers’ markets and weddings at 13, writing songs with his dad at 14 and tackling his first studio album not long after that.

Now 21, the pianist, guitarist and songwriter from Alanson who performs regularly across northern Michigan, hosts a regular open-mic night in Petoskey and fronts indie-rock’s Charlie Millard Band.

Suffice to say, music has been the driving force in Millard’s life.

“Ray Charles, Greg Brown, Bob Dylan and Van Morrison are staples in the house along with a bit of blues,” said Millard, whose skills were honed with help from his guitar-playing father, two piano teachers – one from the classical side and the other steeped in jazz – and a diverse palette of musical influences.

“I discovered the songs of Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan through my sisters’ ballet teacher, and through Waits and Brennan, everyone else; Mose Allison, James Brown, The Gershwins, Sparklehorse, Vic Chesnutt.”