CHUCK JACOBS – BIO
Chuck Jacobs, Touring & Studio Bassist, author (“The Bottom Line,” “Bass Beginnings” Cherry Lane).
For the last 40 years Chuck has toured with Kenny Rogers on tours performing world wide in Asia, South Africa, Europe, the UK and Ireland in addition to extensive touring throughout Canada and the US. He has been asked so many times from fans to relate stories about his adventures and experiences on the road with Kenny which has prompted him to begin work on a book which will chronicle “40 Years Behind the Legend of Kenny Rogers” which will give fans a view of the legend that few have had, and should prove to be an entertaining read.
Originally from northern Michigan, Chuck Jacobs has been a professional musician, playing electric bass for over 50 years, performing in the studios and live all over the world with artists from a long list of superstars from; Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Ray Charles, Lionel Richie, Alison Kraus, Wynona Judd, Smokey Robinson and many others listed below. Jacobs has played on numerous Gold and Platinum albums with Rogers. (Kenny, Gideon, The Greatest Hits, and many others…)
He has also distinguished himself as a producer, producing several country acts in Nashville, as well as easy-listening instrumental CDs in Los Angeles for the label, Simplicity Records, which he co-owns with his brother Dan Jacobs, producing, performing on and mixing over 30 albums.
As a bassist, Jacobs worked regularly in the studios of Nashville from 79 – 89 before moving to the Los Angeles area where he lived for almost 30 years now residing near Clearwater, Florida.
Through his career Jacobs has played with many different artists on TV, live or in the studio, including, Kenny Rogers, Lionel Richie, Alison Kraus, Dolly Parton, Smokey Robinson, Mel Tillis, Garth Brooks, Wynona Judd, Linda Davis, Phil Vasser, Ray Charles, Reba McEntire, Kenny Loggins, Trisha Yearwood, Faith Hill, Gladys Knight, Bill Medley, Crystal Gayle, The Oak Ridge Boys, George Burns, Mac Davis, Kim Carnes, The Righteous Brothers, Sheena Easton, Patty Loveless, The Smothers Brothers, Dottie West, Al Hirt, Holly Dunn, Mark Chesnut, The Forester Sisters, Gallagher, T. Graham Brown, Colin Raye, Billy Dean, Janie Frickie, Holly Dunn, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Shelby Lynn, Wayne Cochran & the CC Riders, Hank Ballard, Little Johnny Taylor.
Author: Jacobs’ book “The Bottom Line” Cherry Lane (1984) was a great success and featured a somewhat different approach from the normal music. Instruction book.
Instead of a “how-to” book on bass, this was more of a “why-you-play-bass” take on the subject of the bass, and included essays on the core concept of playing bass, defining “the role of a bass player in a group” as well as tips and exercises, not so much for the beginning bassist, but for those who already play bass.
In addition, Jacobs featured interviews with some of the top bass players in the world, including Jaco Pastorius, Lee Sklar, Verdine White and many others. Plans are in the works to update this work with new interviews of current bassists and this will be published in the near future.
Jacobs’ current work “Bass Beginnings” Cherry Lane features a “from-the-ground-up” instruction on how to play the bass. This is a great book for someone who knows absolutely nothing about the bass, giving full descriptions of every part of the bass, how it works, how to hold, pluck and play the bass. Including exercises and a play-along CD etc.
Early Work: Jacobs was a member of the Michigan based Rock-n-Roll group “The Rainmakers” in the mid-late 1960’s recording 2 singles that charted on the regional radio stations and were popular in the mid-west area, playing primarily in the active Teen Club market of that era.
In 2018 Kenny decided to retire, and Chuck decided he’s not quite ready for retirement, so he moved his family to Florida where he continues to provide bass on studio projects and occasional tours.
