Charlie Ti Wanditi

Charles Titus Wanditi a.k.a Charlie Ti Wanditi is one of the Gospel artists in Uganda. A mature man and in all ways humble. I talked to him and he agreed to do an online interview. In this interview he gives us a number of his views about life, music and his beliefs. Another reason why Pam Awards is your peerless platform to meet your "Celebz"

PAM Awards: For the record can you please let your fans know who you are?
Charlie Ti: I am Charlie Ti Wanditi (Charles Titus Wanditi) I am have loved music since I was young. I was much of a listener and I started to sing during my early years of secondary : I joined a scripture union choir at St. Peters College, Tororo at that time and then I learnt to play guiter and formed a boys group and started composing my own songs and singing along with them

PAM Awards: So that would mean Charlie Ti Wanditi is your stage name?
Charlie Ti:Oh yes Charlie Ti is my stage name
PAM Awards:Are you vegetarian or carnivore?
Charlie Ti:a carnivore
PAM Awards: Age?
Charlie Ti: I am 35
PAM Awards: Single / married?
Charlie Ti: single
PAM Awards: May I then add that single and searching?
Charlie Ti: no way : I am single but not searching
PAM Awards: When did you start singing?
Charlie Ti:I started singing a little in my sunday schools but seriously in my senior one(1986)
PAM Awards: Talking about school where did you go to school?
Charlie Ti: Bat valley Primary School, St. Peter's College, Tororo, Nabumali High School, Mbale, MUBS I went to two secondary schools. st. Peters for O'level and Nabumali for A'level
PAM Awards: So back to the singing How did you start your singing career?
Charlie Ti: when I joined St. peters in S1 I was given opportunities of joining the choir and dramma. Being shy at the time I couldn't imagine myself joining the dramma so I opted for the Choir and when I got there. I discovered the voice and I was able to sing all voices comfortably And that was just the begining
PAM Awards: And when did you start the professional career?
Charlie Ti: I think that was in my Senior 4 when I started writing my own songs
PAM Awards: Were you writing for some people or you kept them for later or started recording than?
Charlie Ti: I wrote for myself and the group I was singing with, later for the band and for a few conference anthems
PAM Awards: Did you have any one in your family who was into music?
Charlie Ti: Nobody. I was the first born in the family. So nobody was a head of me in singing though my dad loved music very much
PAM Awards: Talking about your dad and being a first born, can you share with us about your family?
Charlie Ti: My dad Mr. Wanditi Paddy is a retired engineer and I have 4 brothers and 4 sisters behind me. I thank God for all of them
PAM Awards: And your Mom?
Charlie Ti: My mom passed away when I was a little boy she was a teacher
PAM Awards: Am sorry about that
PAM Awards: You sing gospel what is your religious life like?
Charlie Ti: Yes I am born again. Pentecostal
PAM Awards: Where do you pray from?
Charlie Ti: Makerere Full Gospel Church
PAM Awards: There is a reverend who tells people their problems right on radio. Some people dispute him and propose he is using evil spirits. In particular he is Rev Lule. Have you heard about him?
Charlie Ti: I have heard of him
PAM Awards: What do you think about the whole idea?
Charlie Ti: Well we also say we shall know them by their fruits. I will not really comment about him much
PAM Awards: Tell us what it is like paving one's way in a very competitive music world like Uganda
Charlie Ti: It is trick really especially when you are in Gospel because people believe gospel should just end in Church. You don't get equal play on radio stations and it is very competitive. But of recent things are getting levelled
PAM Awards: And what would you say to such people who think gospel ends in church?
Charlie Ti: Everybody has his own way he understands gospel music. To me I understand it as a we of reaching out and blessing someone no matter there religion they need to know of the Love of God so as much as we are church based we need to come out and reach out and also interact. The good thing it is now happening and this is improving gospel music at the end of it
PAM Awards: Last year, there was a rumour that Judith Babrirye dint attend the PAM awards because she says the whole idea of going out late in a public place is not Godly. Of course its a rumour but what do you think about the idea?
Charlie Ti: Well she has a right of opinion in life we always understand the scriptures differently. Just like in the bible days there are people who believed eating meat was sin and others not but to me I know there is no sin in that. Music is Music and the message is what is important. And in actual sense there are many touched with opening up than being closed in
PAM Awards: Who are your role models in the music business?
Charlie Ti: I would say I am my own role model but I appreciate works of many people though who have done good arrangements and vocals. In Uganda here especially the gospel, I appreciate the then Limit x, 1st Love. Fiona mukasa was another good one. I love the winans, kirk and there are many others I can't mention and have good arrangements in their music
PAM Awards: Tell us more about your self? The good and bad part of you
Charlie Ti: I can't praise myself obviously but I would say I am friendly and open on the bad side maybe I am kind of strict and principled on a few things
PAM Awards: These days many musicians depend on song writers, Who writes your music?
Charlie Ti: I have always written my music.
PAM Awards: Do you play any instruments?
Charlie Ti: Oh yes. I play guitars, bass, keyboards and drums
PAM Awards: Who produces your music?
Charlie Ti: My first album I produced it myself
Charlie Ti: The second one was partly myself and I partly completed the vocals with Drake Ssebuuma and Moses Mukalazi
PAM Awards: There is talk that anyone can now sing because most of the hard work is done by producers to come up with tunes and treat vocals electronically. What is your take?
Charlie Ti: I think that is very true. Producers decide which side your music follows. They determine the arrangements and some even guide the artist. But it is also determined by how good the composition and voice of the artist so that when combined something good comes out
PAM Awards: What do you think makes your music different from others?
Charlie Ti: I always try to be as original as possible; I work on my arrangements, lyrics and do a lot of rehearsals before and I make sure I don't come up with a premature piece
PAM Awards: What is it like walking up in the streets and heads turn coz they recognised you as a musician?
Charlie Ti: Sometimes it is good to know that you are reaching out to the people and they are loving you, but on the other side you loose your privacy in the end.You go to a hotel and everyone knows you, everyone is watching everything you do. Somehow it also tames you to be an example
PAM Awards: There have been too many good and bad comments about PAM awards what do you think of it?
Charlie Ti: I know a few things may not be as everyone expects but I know they are trying. I definitely know their are a number of challenges but I urge them to move on and keep improving so that we get to the standards which everyone appreciates their work
PAM Awards: Any word of wisdom you ever got from anyone that has push you on?
Charlie Ti: Depending on God in all circumstances and learning from past achievements mistakes and omissions to move to great heights
Move to great heights
PAM Awards: Any word for your fans?
Charlie Ti: I encourage them to keep the moral on and keep expecting more as the Lord leads me and opens doors for me to reach out and record
PAM Awards: Ok thank you very much for talking to us. We shall get back to you if there are more that your fans need to know about you and we shall appreciate it when you get us some time.
Charlie Ti: You are welcome thank Bro.
For More information about this artist Please visit his personal website at www.charlieti.com