Biography
Charles Kindred Vassy emerged as one of the most durable and accomplished figures to arise from the Back Porch Majority. He later contributed vocals to multiple Elvis Presley sessions and appeared on several Frank Zappa recordings while also establishing himself as a productive songwriter. After earning his degree from Auburn University in Alabama, Vassy moved to Phoenix, AZ, where he built a local following in coffeehouses through his work as a vocalist and instrumentalist. Randy Sparks recruited him into the Back Porch Majority, launching his wider career. During the early ’70s he performed live with Zappa and served as a backing vocalist for Presley. One of his compositions, “My First Night Alone Without You,” was cut by Bonnie Raitt for the 1975 album Home Plate. John Stewart referenced him directly in the song “Gold.” Two of Vassy’s own singles climbed into the country top 40, cementing his reputation throughout Nashville. Because of his conservative upbringing in the deep South, Vassy tended to minimize any connection to Zappa.