Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke)
Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke performing with his Red Monkey Ace of Spades guitar strap.
Photo @Andy Sapp
Charlie Starr
Charlie Starr is the vocalist, lead guitarist, and songwriter of Blackberry Smoke , the Atlanta-based American rock and roll band known for its unmistakable blend of Southern rock, country, blues, and roots music.
Born in Lanett, Alabama, Starr developed a passion for music at an early age, shaped by his family’s musical heritage and the rock and roll he heard growing up. His gritty, soulful voice, distinctive guitar playing, and songwriting have become defining elements of the Blackberry Smoke sound.
Since forming in Atlanta in 2001, Blackberry Smoke has built a career spanning 25 years of recording and relentless touring. The band’s catalog includes eight studio albums, including Holding All the Roses and Like an Arrow, both of which reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart.
At the center of the band is Starr’s guitar playing and songwriting. His songs explore love, loss, life on the road, hard-earned experience, and the American experience while drawing from Southern rock, country, blues, and classic rock traditions.
Now celebrating Blackberry Smoke’s 25th anniversary in 2026, Charlie continues to lead the band on stages throughout the United States, Europe, and around the world.
Charlie Starr & Red Monkey
Charlie Starr is one of the newest artists to join the Red Monkey family, bringing handcrafted Red Monkey leather onto the road with Blackberry Smoke.
Onstage, Charlie pairs his Gibson Les Paul with the Red Monkey Ace of Spades Guitar Strap . The Vintage Brown leather and studded design are a natural fit for Starr’s road-worn, guitar-driven approach to rock and roll.
Charlie also incorporates Red Monkey leather into his stage wardrobe, wearing both the Vintage Leather Belt and The Boss Belt as part of his onstage setup.
For a touring musician, those details become part of the overall stage identity. The guitar, strap, belt, clothing, and gear all contribute to the silhouette of the player under the lights. Charlie’s setup is a natural fit for Red Monkey: handcrafted leather designed to be worn hard, broken in, and taken on the road.
Charlie Starr, the Ace of Spades & His Gibson Les Paul
Starr’s use of the Ace of Spades with his Gibson Les Paul also connects directly to one of the questions guitar players ask us most often: what kind of strap works best with a heavier guitar?
Les Paul guitars are legendary for their tone, sustain, and unmistakable feel, but they also put real demands on a guitar strap during long rehearsals and live sets.
Players looking for more information can explore our guide to the best guitar straps for Les Paul players and our guide to guitar straps for heavy guitars for more on leather, strap width, balance, support, and long-set comfort.
For Red Monkey, this is exactly where our work belongs: on a working guitar, night after night, with an artist carrying forward the tradition of great American guitar-driven rock and roll.
Charlie Starr’s Red Monkey Gear:
Ace of Spades Guitar Strap | Vintage Leather Belt | The Boss Belt
Follow Charlie Starr: @cwgstarr
Blackberry Smoke: Official Website | Band Biography | Instagram
Explore Red Monkey: Shop Guitar Straps | Shop Leather Belts
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