Charity Gilbert

       Charity Gilbert is an Americana/Folk/Country singer-songwriter from Clay County, Kentucky. Her music focuses on honest storytelling and showcasing her Appalachian roots. 

Charity graduated from Berea College in 2024 with a Degree in Appalachian Studies and a minor in music. She was blessed to be a first generation college student and be a part of a few music ensembles in her time there.

       Charity was the president of the Berea College Folk Roots ensemble and a member of the College Bluegrass Band as well, where she performed in KY, TN, NC, VA, CA, FL, and internationally in Hong Kong. Due to her musical contributions to campus, she was named the recipient of the 2024 Red Foley Award by Berea College.

Charity was also named a "2024 Firestarter" by the Kentucky Foundation for Women. 

        Her music has themes of addiction, poverty, heartbreak, hope, and overcoming obstacles, and reflects her life and community. She drew inspiration from teachers and mentors such as Sam Gleaves, Ginny Hawker, Kay Justice, Randy Wilson, Ruth McClain, and many others. 

        Some of her early influences in songwriting were artists such as Joan Baez, Jason Isbell, Tyler Childers, Hannah Aldridge, Jackson Browne, Guy Clark, and Woody Guthrie.

       Charity also stays true to her roots by playing traditional Appalachian and bluegrass music in all of her sets, playing old-time style banjo and covering some early country music hits from the region she calls home.