Brazos Valley native contributes to Grammy-winning R&B album
ROBERTSON COUNTY, Texas (KBTX) – A Robertson County artist could be seen on the Grammys stage Sunday night. An album that samples one of his songs won two awards.
Chalie Boy is most known for his 2009 hit “I Feel Good” and 2013 release-turned-TikTok-trend “Thick Fine Woman.”
The artist – otherwise known as Charles Williams – went to school in Calvert and Hearne before entering the music scene.
“Many moons ago, Chalie Boy was handing out CDs and doing videos of his music here in Hearne,” longtime Hearne resident Laura Chesner said.
His mother is a musician, and he grew up with a love of music.
“I’ve been in music since I was a baby. As far as the R&B, rap situation, I got started with that around 2000,” he said.
Fellow R&B artist Victoria Monet sampled “I Feel Good” for her recent single, “On My Mama.” Monet received a total of seven Grammy nominations, including two for the song.
She ended up winning Best R&B Album, Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, and Best New Artist. Williams joined her onstage as she accepted her awards.
“I’m proud to be a part of it, behind it,” Williams added.
Williams said this time last year, he told someone that he would be at the Grammys this year. That prediction came true.
“If you just keep moving forward, keep your foot on the ground, make good music – good, creative, timeless music, and it will always come back around,” he said.
Those who knew him when he was just starting said his success doesn’t come as a surprise.
“He was very much influential around the area, everybody in town knew who he was and everybody assumed that he was gonna be, you know, grow up and do big things,” Chesner said.
It might not be a surprise, but Chesner said the community is proud to see Williams recognized on such a large stage.
“He went out and accomplished all those things and we’re very proud of him,” she added.
Williams still has family living in the Brazos Valley.
