Catching up with Charity Nuse
September 18th Third Thursday Jamestown will feature a true gem in the region’s music scene, when Charity Nuse (and her band) headlines the concert series that night (5 p.m. to 8 p.m. FREE, Winter Garden Plaza). From Charity’s work with Big Leg Emma, her own bands and solo work, she is not only a survivor, but a thriver. Charity was kind enough to respond to some questions that take a look back at her music career, as well as take a peek into the future.
When did you first get involved with music? What inspired you?
I’ve loved music since I was a small child. On Saturday evenings, I remember listening to an oldies station and dancing and singing for my mom. It brought me a happiness I didn’t know existed—music and performing for others, connecting with people in this way—- created an overflowing joy inside them that was reflected back to the performer. I was hooked. Later, I fell in love with musicals and performed in a few at school. As a teenager, I enjoyed attending local festivals and hanging out with friends in the woods. The Great Blue Heron Music Festival especially inspired my desire to learn guitar and start writing original music. I already had a love for writing from childhood—I wrote poetry and short stories as an escape, enjoying the silence and peace that pen and paper gave me.
Was Big Leg Emma the first time you performed, or were you already playing music?
Before Big Leg Emma, I was briefly in a band called Sundog with Steve Johnson. I sang backing vocals and played percussion.
When you look back, what are your reflections on your time with Big Leg Emma?
It was a very magical and challenging time in my life. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to build and nurture such a powerful musical energy that touched so many lives. I tapped into my calling—to connect, help others heal through music and spread hope and positivity. I was living my dream: traveling the country with my bandmates and my precious boy, surrounded by fans who became family, and making incredible memories.
Of course, there were also extremely difficult periods when I questioned whether I wanted to continue down the BLE path. Ultimately, though, the challenges we faced helped every one of us grow—both personally and musically. I am humbled and deeply grateful for that chapter of my life.
Tell us about your songwriting today. How often do you write or come up with new material?
I liken songwriting to the ocean. Inspiration can come rushing in wave after wave, while other times the shoreline recedes, and the water’s power can’t be felt for miles. I’ve learned that when the muse visits, it’s important to stop what I’m doing and “catch” the wave if I can.
Life has become more demanding, and sometimes that gets in the way. But I know the waves always return. I carve out time each week to work on new material and simply play—free-flow jamming where songs often erupt. I record these sessions and revisit them later. One of my favorite ways to create right now is when the band is jamming during practice. There’s so much inspiration to draw from in those moments.
You play a lot of solo or duo shows. At Third Thursday Jamestown in September, you’ll be performing with your band. What should people expect? What do the members bring to your songs?
They bring new life to my songs. They naturally tune into the emotion and energy I’m conveying, then amplify it in the band setting. We work so well together, and I love the input and fresh spin they put on both my older songs and new material.
Our live shows are fun and energetic—the guys bring so much talent and heart to the sound. We add some jam, funk, groove, rock, to the country/blues/folk sound the duo and solo shows create.
What’s next for Charity Nuse (and her band)? What do you hope to accomplish over the next 6–12 months?
Working on new material is a top priority, along with releasing live recordings and creating much more video content. During the winter months, we’ll be performing less. By spring and summer, we’re looking forward to building on the momentum we established quickly in 2025— playing more events and festivals, spreading our musical wings and broadening our travel horizons.