Charles W. Albertson

Albertson was born in Beulaville, North Carolina. His parents were James Edward Albertson and the former Mary Elizabeth Norris. He graduated from Beulaville High School in 1950. After graduation he briefly attended James Sprunt Community College{{cite book |title=The North Carolina Manual 2005–2006 |year=2007 |publisher=North Carolina Secretary of State |location=Raleigh, North Carolina |page=415}} and then joined the United States Air Force attaining the rank of Airman First Class.{{cite book |title=The North Carolina Manual 2009–2010 |year=2009 |publisher=North Carolina Secretary of State |location=Raleigh, North Carolina |url=http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/pubsweb/manual.aspx |accessdate=January 23, 2013 |page=287 |archive-date=January 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110125185118/https://www.secretary.state.nc.us/pubsweb/manual.aspx |url-status=dead }} He served in the USAF from 1951 to 1952.

Albertson decided to run for the 10th North Carolina House of Representatives district seat in 1988. The open seat was vacated by Wendell Murphy who chose to run for the 5th North Carolina Senate district that year. Albertson defeated Republican farmer and former Duplin County Board of Elections chairman, Johnnie Manning, in the general election.{{cite news |title=Farms, schools big issues in race for Murphy's seat |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JwIzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fBUEAAAAIBAJ&dq=charlie-albertson&pg=6651%2C5851014 |accessdate=January 26, 2013 |newspaper=The Wilmington Star-News |date=October 26, 1988}}{{cite news |last=Fennell |first=Bettie |title=Most incumbents reclaim seats in General Assembly |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Cb4sAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vCYEAAAAIBAJ&dq=charlie-albertson&pg=6659%2C5047282 |accessdate=January 26, 2013 |newspaper=The Wilmington Star-News |date=November 10, 1988}} The next election he faced was in 1990 where he was unopposed in both the primary and general elections.{{cite news |last=Schaver |first=Mark |title=Democrats easily handle House races |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-bMsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0SYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4682%2C2722718 |accessdate=January 26, 2013 |newspaper=The Wilmington Star-News |date=November 7, 1990}}

In 1992, Albertson again followed Wendell Murphy when Albertson decided to run for the 5th District of the North Carolina Senate. The Democratic incumbent Murphy decided not to seek re-election.{{cite news |title=Billie Britt Won't Run in Robeson |newspaper=The Fayetteville Observer |date=February 29, 1992}} He defeated physician and Duplin County Republican Party chairman Corbett Quinn in the general election.{{cite news |last=Hervey |first=Philip |title=Republicans gain ground on local level |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ivZOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BhUEAAAAIBAJ&dq=corbett-quinn%20albertson&pg=5455%2C6937459 |accessdate=January 26, 2013 |newspaper=The Wilmington Star-News |date=October 31, 1994 |page=4A}} The election of 1996 saw no primary for Albertson. He went on to face a rematch with Corbett Quinn{{cite news |title=Incumbents fare well in race for legislature |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WfZOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LhUEAAAAIBAJ&dq=mary-jo-loftin%20albertson&pg=5237%2C3325885 |accessdate=January 26, 2013 |newspaper=The Wilmington Star-News |date=May 9, 1996}} in the general election. Albertson won 54.8% to 45.2%.{{cite web |title=NC Senate |url=ftp://www.app.sboe.state.nc.us/data/ElectResults/1996_11_05/19961105_results_NC_Senate.pdf |work=1996 General Election Results |publisher=North Carolina State Board of Elections |accessdate=January 26, 2013 |format=PDF }}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Again having no primary challenge in 1998, he faced Republican activist and 1996 Republican primary candidate Mary Jo Loftin.{{cite news |last=Feagans |first=Brian |title=Challenger holds slim lead over Duplin's Watson |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RrQsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3CYEAAAAIBAJ&dq=mary-jo-loftin%20albertson&pg=5634%2C2036979 |accessdate=January 26, 2013 |newspaper=The Wilmington Star-News |date=May 6, 1998 |page=4A}} He won the general election with just over 64% of the vote.{{cite web |title=Senate – 05 |url=ftp://www.app.sboe.state.nc.us/data/ElectResults/1998_11_03/19981103_results_NC_Senate_05.pdf |work=1998 General Election Results |publisher=North Carolina State Board of Elections |accessdate=January 26, 2013 |format=PDF }}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In 2000, the last election in the 5th District before redistricting, Albertson went on to the general election without a primary and faced former state House member Cindy Watson in the general election.{{cite news |title=Competition for Senate District seat |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SdFOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vx8EAAAAIBAJ&dq=cindy-watson%20albertson&pg=6787%2C1618642 |accessdate=January 26, 2013 |newspaper=The Wilmington Star-News |date=November 5, 2000}} Albertson won with 60% of the vote.{{cite web |title=Senate District 05 |url=ftp://www.app.sboe.state.nc.us/data/ElectResults/2000_11_07/20001107_results_NC_Senate_05.pdf |work=2000 General Election Results |publisher=North Carolina State Board of Elections |accessdate=January 26, 2013 |format=PDF }}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

In 2002, after redistricting, Albertson's seat became the 10th District. That year he faced a Democratic primary challenge from Robert Bradshaw. Albertson won 70%–30%.{{cite web |title=2002 Primary Election Results |url=ftp://www.app.sboe.state.nc.us/data/ElectResults/2002_09_10/20020910_results_statewide.pdf |publisher=North Carolina State Board of Elections |accessdate=January 26, 2013 |format=PDF }}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He went on to defeat Republican George E. Wilson, 54.5%–45.5%, in the general election.{{cite web|title=2002 General Election Results |url=ftp://www.app.sboe.state.nc.us/data/ElectResults/2002_11_05/20021105_results_statewide.pdf |publisher=North Carolina State Board of Elections |accessdate=January 26, 2013 |format=PDF }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In 2004, Albertson had no primary challengers. He beat marketing executive and former Lenoir County Schools board member, Republican Rich Jarman,{{cite news |last=Welch |first=Cheryl |title=Veteran, newcomer vie for seat in state Senate |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2BFPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2x8EAAAAIBAJ&dq=charlie%20albertson%20rich%20jarman&pg=5253%2C1196358 |accessdate=January 26, 2013 |newspaper=The Wilmington Star-News |date=October 21, 2004}} in the general election, 62%–38%.{{cite web|title=2004 General Election Results |url=ftp://www.app.sboe.state.nc.us/data/ElectResults/2004_11_02/20041102_results_statewide.pdf |publisher=North Carolina State Board of Elections |accessdate=January 26, 2013 |format=PDF }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He again faced no primary challenge in 2006 and went on to defeat Republican Adrain Arnett in the general election, 64.5%–35.5%.{{cite web|title=2006 General Election Results |url=ftp://www.app.sboe.state.nc.us/data/ElectResults/2006_11_07/20061107_results_statewide.pdf |publisher=North Carolina State Board of Elections |accessdate=January 26, 2013 |format=PDF }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In his last election in 2008, Albertson was unopposed in both the primary and general elections.{{cite web |title=2008 General Election Results |url=http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NC/7937/21334/en/vts.html?cid=270 |publisher=North Carolina State Board of Elections |accessdate=January 26, 2013}}

Albertson served in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 1989 until 1992. He then was elected to the North Carolina Senate, serving from 1993 until his retirement in 2010. That year, he decided not to seek re-election.{{cite news |last=Bonner |first=L |title=Albertson bows out |url=http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/albertson_bows_out |accessdate=January 23, 2013 |newspaper=Raleigh News and Observer |date=January 15, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331175449/http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/albertson_bows_out |archivedate=March 31, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}

While in the state Senate, Albertson served as a co-chairman of the Appropriations/Base Budget Committee. He also served in that chamber's party leadership as the Senate Democratic Caucus Secretary from 2005 to 2010. Prior to this, he served as chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources.{{cite news |title=Albertson won't seek 10th term in N.C. Senate |url=http://clintonnc.com/view/full_story/5565405/article-BREAKING-NEWS-Albertson-won-t-seek-10th-term-in-N-C--Senate |accessdate=January 24, 2013 |newspaper=The Sampson Independent |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119190548/http://clintonnc.com/view/full_story/5565405/article-BREAKING-NEWS-Albertson-won-t-seek-10th-term-in-N-C--Senate |archivedate=November 19, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}

Albertson is a singer-songwriter and musician that has toured in 26 countries. He has also appeared at the Grand Ole Opry. Primarily a country and gospel singer, he has worked with Jimmy Capps and claims Hank Williams, Lefty Frizzell, Ernest Tubb, Roy Acuff, Kitty Wells, and Hank Thompson as influences.{{cite web |title=Three Little Words: I Thank You |url=http://www.billboard.com/#/album/charlie-albertson/three-little-words-i-thank-you/13469360 |publisher=Billboard |accessdate=January 24, 2013}}{{cite web |title=NC's Singing Senator |url=http://ncvisitorcenter.com/NC_s_Singing_Senator.html |work=The North Carolina Visitor Center |publisher=The High Cotton Company |accessdate=January 24, 2013}} He appeared on Arthur Smith's UNC-TV show Carolina Calling.{{cite web |title=Carolina Calling: Schedule May |url=http://www.unctv.org/cc/mayb.html |publisher=UNC-TV |accessdate=January 24, 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20021115144847/http://www.unctv.org/cc/mayb.html |archivedate=November 15, 2002}}

Albertson toured Iran just before the overthrow of the Shah. He played a couple of shows with Tommy Cash during his career.{{cite news|url=https://www.dailyadvance.com/news/local/pbs-nc-to-air-documentary-on-singer-lawmaker-albertson/article_04345cc6-3d67-11ef-89bb-73de19e77d18.html|title=PBS NC to air documentary on singer-lawmaker Albertson|website=Elizabeth City Daily Advance|date=July 11, 2024}} He performed at many Democratic Party rallies and once wrote the theme song/jingle for the "Goodness Grows in North Carolina" program that the state promoted. In 2010, outraged over the citations in his district of members of Willie Nelson's band (which led to Nelson cancelling a concert there), Albertson wrote and recorded a song called "Leave the Man Alone" criticizing law enforcement for the incident. It received airplay on several country stations.{{cite news |last=Ribeiro |first=Ana |title=Willie Nelson's canceled concert inspires state senator's song |url=http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20100224/ARTICLES/100229835 |accessdate=January 26, 2013 |newspaper=Wilmington Star-News |date=February 24, 2010}}{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Barry |title=State senator records song about charges against Willie Nelson's band |url=http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/song-32108-nelson-band.html |accessdate=January 26, 2013 |newspaper=The Burlington Times-News |date=March 4, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100309001254/http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/song-32108-nelson-band.html |archivedate=March 9, 2010}}

;The Charlie Albertson Band

• The Charlie Albertson show : "Dancin' tonight" (LP, First Colony Records, 1990s)
• The Charlie Albertson show : "by Request" (LP, First Colony Records, 1990s)

;Solo

• Slow Boat to China (single, Mega Records, 1975)
• He Sure Sings A Good Country Song (LP, Hilltop Production Co., 1974)
• I'm Going to Live for Jesus (LP, Calvary, 1977)
• Honky Tonk Moon (LP, Jimmy Capps/Hilltop Production Co.)
• With The News (LP, First Colony Records)
• Three Little Words: I Thank You (LP, CS Records, 2007)
• I Have Always Loved You (LP)
• Leave the Man Alone (LP)

Albertson married to the former Grace Sholar on February 15, 1953; they have two children.{{cite book |title=The North Carolina Manual 2001–2002 |year=2001 |publisher=North Carolina Secretary of State |location=Raleigh, North Carolina |page=421}} Albertson was a farmer and a retired Plant Protection and Quarantine officer with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as a musician, songwriter, and publisher.

He was close friends with former U.S. Representative from North Carolina David N. Henderson.

Prior to being elected to office, he served various positions on the James Sprunt Community College Foundation and the college's Board of Trustees between 1977 and 1992, becoming chairman of the Trustees, 1986 to 1989.

Albertson has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense with two certificates of esteem for entertaining troops. He was also inducted into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Because of his musical and political careers, he gained the nickname "The Singing Senator." In November 2012, he was inducted into the Duplin County Hall of Fame.{{cite news |last=Hill |first=Dennis |title=Duplin inducts honorees into county Hall of Fame |url=http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2012/11/09/duplin_inducts_honorees_into_county_hall_of_fame/ |accessdate=January 24, 2013 |newspaper=The Goldsboro News-Argus |date=November 9, 2012}}

He has twice received "Friend of Agriculture" awards. Once from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture in 1996{{cite journal |last=Leith |first=Terri |title=Gamma Sigma Delta initiates three, honors Dr. R. Wayne Skaggs |url=http://cals.ncsu.edu/agcomm/magazine/summer00/gamma.htm |journal=Perspectives: The Magazine of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences |date=Summer 2000 |publisher=North Carolina State University}} and once from the North Carolina Agribusiness Council in 2003.{{cite news |title=Lawmakers get 'Friends' awards |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kBxVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oj0NAAAAIBAJ&dq=charlie%20albertson%20close%20friends&pg=3620%2C1749982 |accessdate=January 26, 2013 |newspaper=The Robesonian |date=November 6, 2003}} He received an honorary induction into North Carolina State University's Gamma Sigma Delta honors society in 2000. The North Carolina Farm Bureau honored Albertson in 2010 with their President's Award of Excellence.{{cite web |title=Achievements & Lifestyles |url=http://www.ncfbmagazine.org/2011/03/achievements-lifestyles-6/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415095526/http://www.ncfbmagazine.org/2011/03/achievements-lifestyles-6/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-04-15 |work=North Carolina Farm Bureau Magazine |publisher=North Carolina Farm Bureau |date=March–April 2011 }}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{official website|http://www.charliealbertson.com}}{{dead link|date=November 2024}}
• {{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart=5889 | fec= | congress= }}
• [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/uniquecandidate.phtml?uc=1356 Financial information (state office)] at the National Institute for Money in State Politics

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{{s-par|us-nc-hs}}

{{s-bef|before=Wendell Murphy}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 10th district|years=1989–1993}}

{{s-aft|after=Vance Alphin}}

|-

{{s-par|us-nc-sen}}

{{s-bef|before=Wendell Murphy}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the North Carolina Senate
from the 5th district|years=1993–2003}}

{{s-aft|after=Tony Moore}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=A. B. Swindell}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the North Carolina Senate
from the 10th district|years=2003–2011}}

{{s-aft|after=Brent Jackson}}

{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Albertson, Charles W.}}

Category:1932 births

Category:Living people

Category:American male singer-songwriters

Category:People from Duplin County, North Carolina

Category:Singer-songwriters from North Carolina

Category:Democratic Party North Carolina state senators

Category:Democratic Party members of the North Carolina House of Representatives

Category:21st-century members of the North Carolina General Assembly