The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Tyrone Wells. Photo provided

California folk singer Tyrone Wells is in Central Oregon this week for a family reunion. While he's here he will present a free public musical performance in Sisters. The outdoor concert is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 28 at Bronco Billy's Saloon and Ranch Grill in downtown Sisters.

Although traveling without his band, Wells says that a friend or two will probably perform with him. Certain to join him on stage is musical associate Erin Chang, whose brother heads up the popular Hawaiian singing group, Kupa'aina.

Chang's late grandparents, Bill and Nan Lowery, were part-time Sisters residents at Indian Ford.

Wells is firmly entrenched in the Southern California music scene, but he's actually a Northwest native and happy for the chance to spend some time among the trees again. With his band, Skypark, he has released five CDs and he has one solo CD to his credit.

In his solo CD debut, Wells' talent caught the eye of former Black Crowes guitarist, Marc Ford, who came on board as co-producer. Wells' second CD is due out in August.

"Music is the mistress and sometimes the obsession that keeps me up at night...pleading and laboring for some beautiful resolution," he says.

Wells has performed in 32 states and seven countries. He has been on an Armed Forces entertainment tour and played with Skypark for the troops in Ecuador, Honduras, Puerto Rico and Cuba.

Wells devotes as much of his time as possible to sharing his unique musical style, and he recently completed a West Coast tour.

"I also play a couple of weekly gigs down here in the Los Angeles area," he said.

In Sisters, Wells will sing and play acoustic/electric solo guitar on the outdoor, covered stage at Bronco Billy's, where managing owner John Keenan agreed to host the event. The outdoor performance venue is accessible from the street or through the saloon, and the public is welcome.

There will be no charge.

The sound system and technical support were volunteered by local folk musician Al Herauf.

"I've never been to Sisters before," said Wells. "You see I already have four sisters, so I've always kinda wanted to stay as far away from Sisters as possible...No, no, that's just a joke."

He laughed at his own joke and then turned more serious.

"I know that the community in Sisters really values the arts. I've always wanted to catch the Sisters Folk Festival, so I'm really looking forward to being in Sisters and sharing my music."