Wylie and the Wild West

       As a Billboard Magazine headline declared , “When Wylie and the Wild West Play, Folks Get Up and Dance!”  No crowd-- no matter how worried, troubled, or surly-- can resist this lanky cowboy with the big grin. Guitar in hand, Wylie Gustafson’s energy is an imposing force. While his chin is bobbing in time to the sprightly western sounds of the Wild West, his boots fly forward and back in a brisk jig. Atop his gangly form is a 50’s style, rancher-creased cowboy hat that amazingly stays on for the wild ride. In the midst of all this swaying, dancing, sweating, and strumming, Wylie somehow manages to open his mouth and sing.
        Lately, Wylie’s knack for performing western music-- an influence long since absent from mainstream country music-- has garnered plenty of attention. His 1998 Rounder album, Total Yodel,  was a celebration and reaffirmation of yodeling and country music’s partnership. His music is at the center of a three-year, nation-wide media ad campaign for the Montana State Tourism Commission. And if you have been wondering who is responsible for that infectious voice featured in the national television and radio commercials for Yahoo.com, ponder no more: ‘Tis Wylie!
        As his notoriety spreads, Wylie remains humble and mindful of his roots. “I think that folks are tired of being beat over the head with the corporate answers to modern music,” he says. “We have never tried to be Garth Brooks-we just live out west, where the people and the environment influences our music. I don’t know for sure what makes it all relevant-but I do know that people click into it somehow! That’s the icing on the cake. ..”

More about Wylie at his website:  www.wylieww.com
Email Wylie at:  yodeler@televar.com