Charmer, a Baton Rouge, LA-based folk group, was formed by the Smith brothers -- multi-instrumentalists Bob (bass, percussion, vocals), Dudley Brian (vocals, guitar, harmonica, mandolin), and Joel (vocals, guitar) -- in 1973. They performed in small venues throughout the Southern U.S. during their entire existence, but didn't begin releasing albums until 1981. In 1983, the addition of Jan Smith (guitar, piano, vocals, accordion, melodica) made the group a quartet -- by the time the members decided to do new things, in 1989, they had built a catalog of eight albums and had a number of support performances under their belts, for the likes of Nanci Griffith, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, John Fahey, and John Prine. Dudley Brian and Jan formed Smithfield Fair, and Bob and Joel formed Diverse Peoples. ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi