A Brotherhood in Harmony

nigeledelshain
Jul 28
4 min read

PEQUANNOCK HAS LONG been home to most of the five members of the Charlie Western Band. These lifelong friends, most of whom graduated from Pequannock Township High School in 2015, have been walking home from school together, biking through town and making music in each other’s basements for over 15 years. What began as jam sessions among friends has grown into something far more meaningful: a band built on friendship, passion and the joy of sharing music.

The group officially came together in June 2024, making their first public appearance as a band on August 18, 2024, and they’ve been building momentum ever since.

Rooted in country and folk, the band draws inspiration from the likes of the Eagles, James Taylor, the Allman Brothers and the Grateful Dead. Their live sets are filled with original music—a decision driven by the satisfaction of watching audiences connect with songs they have written themselves. “It’s powerful and humbling to watch people enjoy something you created,” says Western.

While all members contribute to the songwriting process, Western stands out as the primary writer, with an astonishing 450-plus original songs under his belt. Each represents a unique idea or emotional moment. Western describes his songwriting process as intuitive. He first hears the melody and rhythm, then builds the lyrics and hook around it.

Western’s favorite self-written song is “Back on Broadway,” while Lundy gravitates toward “Lovely Tonight,” a tune that features the band’s signature three-part harmony. A self-proclaimed Deadhead, Rogan finds his musical identity in the legacy of the Grateful Dead, while Hoogmoed leans toward the Allman Brothers’ classic “Ramblin’ Man”.

SHAPED BY VOICES

Like many musicians, the band members have drawn inspiration from their families. Hoogmoed’s mother, Lori, is a seasoned wedding band performer and part of a local group called Three-Day Weekend. It was Lori who taught Western how to sing.

Lundy’s father, Chuck, also played in bands for most of his life, fueling Lundy’s musical curiosity and talent. These connections run deep, weaving the band’s story into the broader musical fabric of their hometown area.

In 2021, Western faced a major personal and professional challenge. After noticing vocal fatigue and limited vocal range, he was diagnosed with a vocal cord cyst that required surgery. The outcome was uncertain—and the possibility of losing his singing voice loomed large. But after a successful surgery and smooth recovery, Western emerged with stronger vocals than ever, an experience that deepened his commitment to music.

STORIES FROM THE STAGE

Not all performances have gone perfectly. The band’s first-ever gig, a holiday party, came after just a few rehearsals. With Hoogmoed on bass guitar, it was obvious to the band that he did not really know the song. That is when Rogan, on lead guitar, leaned toward Hoogmoed, telling him to turn his guitar all the way down—a subtle but strategic save that turned a near-mishap into a shared laugh.

A more recent and triumphant memory came in March, when the band joined Hoogmoed’s mother’s band on stage at the Sunset Pub & Grill. It was a full-circle moment and a high-energy performance that Western called “amazing.”

For Hoogmoed, the most moving experience came after Western’s surgery: “That first show back together—it was unforgettable,” Hoogmoed says. “Just being on stage again, doing what we love— it meant everything.”

As Western puts it, “It’s just so cool to be playing music with your best friends, who are also pretty darn good musicians.”

THE ROAD AHEAD

The band is now entering its second chapter as Western prepares to move to Nashville to pursue a career in music full-time. He hopes to write and collaborate with other artists, grow his craft and immerse himself in the creative heartbeat of Music City.

What does this mean for the rest of the band? They are staying together. Lundy will step up as lead vocalist, and the group plans to continue writing, performing and, most importantly, having fun. During conversation, you can feel the happiness for Western while at the same time sadness that, after years together, they’ll be taking different paths.

When asked to sum up their journey, one band member says it best: “We’ve had a decade’s worth of laughs in the last year—it’s been so much fun.”

Western signs off with his signature phrase that he uses just before performing with the band: “Let it rip”—and that is what they do, and continue to do, as a brotherhood in harmony.

GROWING REPERTOIRE

Charlie Western released an album, “It Was not Always This Way,” in March 2017. His latest album, “Seasons,” dropped on May 2, 2025— his first professionally produced album, featuring all-original songs and marking a new milestone in his evolving musical journey.