Featured artist at 43rd White Marlin Open has Delmarva ties

It’s not just big fish that the 43rd annual White Marlin Open will be reeling in this year. It’s also big acts.

Jimmy Charles has been chosen as the featured artist for this year’s billing tournament, and he’s got local ties.

Charles is a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School and has spent the past seven years working in Nashville as a recording artist.

The country artist says he attended the tournament as a child. He tells 47ABC he’s excited to perform at The Reel Inn on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

“The fish are still huge now, but when you’re eight years old and you’re watching the 700, 800 pound blue marlin get weighed in…you’re just like oh my gosh!” he recalls. “So, it’s a little bit of a blast from the past to be able to come here and be able to be a part of this huge event.”

He’ll be performing on Sunday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday.

Charles is also the national spokesman for Zero Cancer. The national nonprofit organization’s mission is to end prostate cancer.