His father was a successful composer of stage music and his mother was a celebrated soprano who often appeared in her husband's operas.
Charles's Aunt Cecilia (1712–1789), was one of the greatest English sopranos of the eighteenth century and the wife of composer Thomas Arne.
His Aunt Esther was a well-known contralto and wife to Charles Jones, a successful music publisher in England during the eighteenth century.
As a composer Charles wrote mostly vocal songs for London's pleasure gardens and catches and glees.
[2] Charles's songs include the patriotic Britannia's Invitation to her Sons, to Partake of the Glory of the Intended Expedition (c. 1755), Damon & Delia or the Retreat (1759) and a collection, Six English Songs as Sung by Mr [Thomas] Lowe & Mrs Lampe Junr at Mary-bone Gardens (1764); his music is light and appealing with much use of the Scotch snap.