Wild Blue Yonder

Bio:

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BIOGRAPHY:

Repeated airplay and live appearances for a local band on WIVK radio (107.7 fm in Knoxville, TN) is as rare in East Tennessee as a possum making it across the road. One of the top five country radio stations in America, WIVK regularly wins "Radio Station of the Year" industry awards and tightly guards their format from unsigned artists. Wild Blue Yonder, however, was WIVK's most requested artist for two weeks in a row with their novelty hit, "The Possum Crawls Tonight," even beating out Kenny Chesney. That achievement gained them notoriety across the Southeast and a tote bag full of possum stories from admiring fans.

One of Wild Blue Yonder's more serious original songs, "It's Only Love," is featured in the romance/suspense novel "September on Echo Creek" by D.L. Havlin. The "New York City meets Appalachia" story line uses the song to orchestrate its turning point, and a disc of Wild Blue Yonder tunes is included in the book jacket.

In the performance department, Wild Blue Yonder is a regular at Asheville's prestigious Grove Park Inn and has entertained for the U.S. Department of Commerce, Merrill Lynch Corporation, Dollywood Theme Park, the Tennessee Theater, the Elk River Club and WBIR television in Knoxville, among many other venues.

The year 2007 saw the band turn to a new focus on songwriting. WBY founders and writers Melissa Wade & Philip Coward now incorporate an increasing number of original songs in each show, finding audiences open and eager to hear fresh, well-crafted tunes that speak to them personally. The songwriting pair won ASCAP awards in 2005, 2006 and 2007 for performance of their original material. Musical influences include Kris Kristofferson, John Prine and Nanci Griffith.

INSTRUMENTATION:
Melissa Wade - lead vocal, rhythm guitar
Philip Coward - lead & harmony vocals, lead guitar, mandolin, bass
Cindy Wallace - harmony vocals, fiddle
Laura Knight - fiddle, congas, percussion

DISCOGRAPHY:
"Bolt Out Of The Blue" CD (2002)
"Above & Beyond" CD (2004)

Both releases have received airplay on more than 250 radio stations in the U.S. and abroad and on several internet stations, including www.wholewheatradio.com. The band has also been featured on radio programs from Nashville ("Bluegrass Breakdown") to West Virginia ("Inside Appalachia") to Australia ("Wall to Wall Bluegrass").
 

Member Since:

July 28, 2007

Members:

.. .. ..Planning a party, wedding, barbeque, corporate event? Make it a day to remember with WILD BLUE YONDER! Our 2008 schedule is filling fast so call or email today. SEE WEBSITE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION!!!..

            Three cute girls and one lucky guy on guitar, fiddle, mandolin and warm harmonies in an acoustic blend of Americana/alt country. Evocative original songs mix with old-time mountain tunes and a splash of humor for an intimate evening of quality entertainment. Past WBY shows include Doc Watson's 80th birthday party, Asheville's Grove Park Inn, Dollywood theme park and openings for David Holt & Tommy Emmanuel. "This is a new, young band not to be missed. They seem to have everything to rocket them to success. Great vocals, great instrumentalship, great stage presence and most importantly their own personality and brand of humor." - Steve Kaufman, Three-Time National Flatpick Guitar Champion

..Wild Blue Yonder.. ..

Melissa Wade	Philip Coward
Laura Knight	Cindy Wallace
Melissa Wade.., from Knoxville, on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, fronts the band and writes most of their original material. She is also an accomplished pianist and piano instructor. She brings to the band many years of performance experience in a variety of musical styles. Philip Coward, from Knoxville, on mandolin, lead acoustic guitar and vocals, shares leadership duties in the band and contributes to their signature energetic show. He also co-writes and arranges much of the group's original material and has performed in various bands for almost 30 years, one of which toured overseas with the USO in the 1970's. Classically-trained violinist and virtuoso fiddlers, sisters,  Laura Knight and Cindy Wallace light up the band's stage show with lively fiddle tunes as well as beautiful string arrangements on their slower numbers. They have performed in many bands, including Wild Mountain Honey, and The Wallace Sisters.  Their credentials also include many years at Dollywood theme park.

© 2008 Wild Blue Yonder, All Rights reserved

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Influences:

Nanci Griffith, Kris Kristofferson, John Prine, Emmylou Harris, Iris DeMent, Maura O'Connell, Joan Baez, John Fogerty, Dan Fogelberg, Lyle Lovett, Eric Clapton, Sir Walter Scott, Henry David Thoreau, Sylvia Plath ..

Sounds Like:

No one really because we strive to have our own voice. Originality is what this music thing is all about so we try hard not to be comparable to other artists. If our sound reminds you of someone else, though, send us a message and let us know. (Then we'll get right to work on changing that!)

Record Label:

Unsigned