Chuck Strong

Born around 1962 in Selma, Alabama, Strong launched his career performing with the Oasis Band in his native city. He went on to join Bobby Moore And The Rhythm Aces before issuing his debut single under his own name, the 1986 track Love Don’t Change Over Night. Additional albums followed over the ensuing years as he refined his approach into that of a polished soft soul blues vocalist. Among the singles he put out during this period were ‘She’s Not The Cheating Kind’, ‘You Made A Change In Me’, ‘She’s Got Papers On Me’ and ‘I’m In Need Of A Good Woman’, none of which registered widely. Greater traction arrived with ‘Rock That Man In The Boat’, the opening cut from the 2004 album Let’s Get Back Together and widely regarded as a standout in his catalog. Teaming with Winston Williams, he penned ‘You Left A Goldmine For A Golddigger’, later interpreted by Little Milton, while Tyrone Davis recorded another of his compositions, ‘Don’t Make Me Choose’—an artist whose style left a marked imprint on Strong’s own. By softening the raw edges typical of prime soul, Strong expanded his audience yet distanced himself from some purists devoted to the genre. Momentum persisted into the early 2000s, when he cut multiple numbers written by Rich Cason.