Artist Description
The Wilders, formed in 1996, is regularly regarded as "the band to see" wherever they go. Led by singer, guitarist and country wisecracker, Ike Sheldon, the band grounds itself firmly in the early formative years of recorded country music. Featured in each performance are the hard driving old time fiddle tunes presided over by multi-award-winning fiddler, Betse Ellis. Her infectious fiddling is often the cause of spontaneous dancing by both the audience and the band!The Wilders' playlist is peppered with original country, bluegrass, hillbilly songs, and fiddle tunes, and also includes many of the classic country favorites heard in the early days of the Grand Ol' Opry radio show. Songs by Hall of Famers Jimmie Rogers, Roy Acuff and the Carter Family are presented in a faithful yet original light. Anchored by the insurgent walking bass lines of Nate Gawron, the band resurrects 1940's and 50's honky-tonk heroes like Hank Williams and Lefty Frizzell, providing each tune with all the swinging electricity found in the originals without plugging in a single instrument. The finishing touch for the band's sound is produced by the slippery dobro, chugging clawhammer banjo and plunky mandolin of jack-of-all-trades, Phil Wade. While Sheldon and Ellis handle the bulk of the vocal chores, the whole group can sometimes be heard harmonizing on a beautiful old gospel tune.
Witnessing a performance by The Wilders is an exciting experience not soon forgotten. The members huddle around a single microphone. When the time comes for a solo, each player moves with clockwork precision -- they are artists at making each instrument and vocal line mix perfectly through their posture and position in relation to the microphone. There's plenty of unplanned humor as well. Never ones to take themselves too seriously, the band deals with the calamity of a string break or a high-humidity-detuned instrument in an often hilarious way. Because of this natural sense of humor and humility, smiling faces are a familiar sight at any Wilders show!
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Latest Comment
Belfast AirportMet Nathan in Belfast Airport , had a wee natter and passed the time, just a pity the flight was boarding as were had lovely ... MorePost Your Own! |
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Comments on This Artist
Belfast Airport
Met Nathan in Belfast Airport , had a wee natter and passed the time, just a pity the flight was boarding as were had lovely time, met the rest of the band too. all down to earth and sweet. Were invited to go to the Scots gigs by them but couldnt make it , but hope to get to the Celtic visit in January to see them in concert, been watching some youtube clips and getting right into this Bluegrass stuff. Even got a song by Nathan in the airport he sang a wee bit of Irene Goodnight. ....loved yer boots Nathan. lovely to meet you.... Irenexxx
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