R.I.P. Charles Hairston

Charlotte soul singer Charles Hairston died on Monday, after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 61. Hairston was known in the area for his vibrant, rich voice--which he put to good use as the frontman of Double Door Inn staples The Monday Night All-Stars.

A straightforward message left on Hairston's Myspace reads,

Charles Hairston passed away February 23, 2009 after battling cancer since last year. He was loved by so many and will be greatly missed. Over a half centry of Experience has produced a master vocalist extraordinaire. Decades of experience by performance and Evolution of popular music has brought Charles to the top of the game. "The love for my craft as well as the love of my audience creates a one on one experience,collectively and individuality at every show. In other words when you leave my concert you feel as if every song that was performed was song especially for you. Go to a Charles Hairston show with the understanding that your going to be entertained by a God Given Talent that expresses a kind of love and joy that we all sometimess need to feel."

Charlotte Observer reporter Tonya Jameson wrote two obituaries for Hairston, one for the Observer, and one for her own blog.