HELP CHARLIE MTN. MAKE A QUEER COUNTRY ALBUM!
THE FUNDRAISER
Here's where you can contribute to the recording fund!
If you want rewards, keep scrolling and place an order for a bundle!
Baby's First Country Album
John-Allison Weiss in a cowboy hat = Charlie Mtn. 🤠
Hello internet, Johnny here — your favorite perpetually-online singer/songwriter.
I’ve spent nearly two decades making music as a DIY indie artist, but before all that, I was a kid growing up in rural Georgia, falling hard for country radio. The twang, the storytelling, the heartbreak and humor — it got in my bones early.
After years of writing indie rock anthems, I’ve finally followed that longtime pull back to my roots. I’ve been writing songs that live in the world of Americana and alt-country, and now I’m making my first full-length album as Charlie Mtn.
This is a new chapter: full of queer joy, dusty roads, old ghosts, and wide open skies. It’s tender and tough, sentimental and a little unhinged — and it's the biggest, boldest record I’ve ever made.
🎙 Where We’re At 🎙
We’ve already tracked the core band live in the studio at MTSU: drums, bass, electric and acoustic guitars. Then we took it back to the farm, layering banjo, pedal steel, mandolin, piano, and fiddle. The sound is lush, wild, and rooted in country tradition — with a twist. We’re currently finishing vocals and harmonies, and getting ready for mixing.
🐎 What’s This Album About? 🐎
Charlie Mtn. is a collection of songs born from a real-life leap into the unknown — leaving a “safe” life, hitting the road, and figuring out who I really am. It’s about heartbreak, divorce, queer joy, chosen family, and driving into the sunset to meet yourself on the other side.
It’s a record built on solitude, transformation, and deep connection — with this weird, wild world and everyone in it.
💥 How You Can Help 💥
This album is entirely fan-funded, and your support helps us finish strong. Contributions go directly to paying the team, mixing and mastering the record, and bringing it into the world right.
Chip in and get...
- Exclusive merch
- Behind-the-scenes updates
- Personalized video messages
- A 1-on-1 song coaching session
- Or even a beverage hang at a future show!
If you can’t give right now, sharing the link with a friend makes a huge difference too.
Let’s finish this thing together and bring Charlie Mtn. to life.
With love and gratitude,
Johnny / Charlie Mtn.
THE REWARDS
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Digital Download
Get the BundleYou know 'em, you love 'em. Mp3s are back, baby! Plus get bonus tracks and demos.
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Charlie Mtn. Postcard
Get the BundleA real live postcard in the snail mail from Johnny, signed with a thank you note.
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Charlie Mtn. on Compact Disc
Get the BundleA cold hard signed CD copy of the album delivered to your door as soon as it's available.
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Charlie Mtn. Cowboy Rust Bandana
Get the BundleWear it on the left if you're a cowboy. Wear it on the right if you're his horse.
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Charlie Mtn. Fundraiser T-Shirt
Get the BundleLet the world know you made it happen with this limited edition Charlie Mtn. t-shirt.
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A Photograph and a Thank You
Get the BundleOne-of-a-kind Instax photo from the studio, plus a personal "Thank You!" video.
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A Sweet Serenade from Charlie Mtn.
Get the BundleGet a personal video of Johnny playing a song just for you against a scenic backdrop.
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A Video Call with Coach Charlie
Get the BundleA one-on-one video chat song-coaching session (or just shoot the shit) with Johnny.
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A Drink and A Glass and A Guest List Spot
Get the BundleGet a limited edition pint glass, and a hang with Johnny when they put you on the guest list and buy you a bev.
THE BUNDLES
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Digital Bundle
Regular price $10.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Postcard Bundle
Regular price $20.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Bandana Bundle
Regular price $60.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Tee for Tee Bundle
Regular price $80.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Studio Hero Bundle
Regular price $100.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Sweet Serenade Bundle
Regular price $200.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Songwriters Bundle
Regular price $300.00Regular priceUnit price per
Y'ALL GOT QUESTIONS?
WHO IS CHARLIE MTN?
Charlie Mtn. is queer country from John-Allison Weiss!! Thwarted by the events of 2020, the project was put on hold for five years... until now! Johnny is headed to Nashville to make a full album of country songs under the Charlie Mtn. moniker. It's not their first foray into folk, but rather a return to writing story songs on an acoustic guitar and traveling the country in their truck and travel trailer and tapping into their southern roots.
WHAT IS ALL THIS MONEY FOR?
Making a radio quality record is expensive, and we're planning to make the best one we can possibly afford. There are 10+ songs ready to record, but each one needs a guitarist, a bassist, a drummer, and extra instruments like fiddle, pedal steel, banjo, and mandolin, meaning musician's fees could total at least $700 per song. The whole album needs a producer who should make at least $500 per song. Each track will need to be mixed and mastered, which will cost at least $300 per song. Add that all up and you're looking at $15,000 for a 10-song record, and that's before the dang thing even gets printed. Charlie Mtn is making a record regardless, but the more we raise, the better.
WHEN WILL THE ALBUM BE OUT?
Recording will take place in May 2025 and the first songs will be released on streaming services by July 2025. The release date of the full album is yet to be determined, and will likely be dictated by the amount of money raised.
WHEN WILL MERCH BE SHIPPED?
Preorder bundles will go out as soon as the album is pressed, which could take up to a year from the album's completion. Make sure to include a valid email address when you order so we can check in on your address before shipping. Non-bundle merch will be sent out within a month of ordering.
WILL I GET TO SEE CHARLIE MTN. ON TOUR?
Yes! In fact, a tour is currently in the works and will be announced on April 30th!
ARE Y'ALL PRINTING THIS ON VINYL?
The first Charlie Mtn. album deserves to be released on vinyl, but it's not in the cards just yet! The focus of this fundraiser will be getting the album recorded and a little bit of merch created to go with preorder bundles. We're still looking for a record label to release it on vinyl, and when that time comes, everyone who donated at any level here will get first dibs on the vinyl preorder.
INTERESTED IN GIVING REGULARLY?
Join the J.A.W.S. Club Patreon, where just $5/month gets you access to all new music and upcoming plans, archival material, first-dibs on tickets, and a cool membership patch!
THE SUPPORTERS
Making it happen!