Charles Henry Christian

Marker Text:

As a child Bonham native Charles (Charlie) Christian was exposed to the guitar artistry and soprano solos of his parents Clarence and Willie Mae Christian. Though taught in the guitar chord technique, he developed a unique single-string style that made his reputation and earned him a place in music great Benny Goodman's band in 1939. A jazz guitar prodigy, he played with Goodman, Count Basie, and at Carnegie hall before dying of tuberculosis at the age of 25.

Location: The marker is in Gates Hill Cemetery, located at the south end of Bonham, just off SH 78.