The Wilenes Country Band from Traverse City, MI

If you're looking for 'real' country music...vintage tunes and originals that sound like golden country radio hits, you'll love The Wilenes. This band will take you back to the days when country music was a pocketful of heartfelt ballads and jumping dance hall favorites. The members of this band have played country music all over the world, from The Grand Ole Opry to Europe's biggest country music festivals. From Canada's major folk festivals to Rockefellar Center and the White House. L.A. to Boston, Iowa to North Carolina, north to south, at home and abroad. As Hank Snow would say, "I've been everywhere." From the traditions of Patsy Cline to Johnny Cash to Hank Williams, from the honky-tonks to the dance halls to the front porches, this band will take you down memory lane or perhaps introduce you to some of the greatest American music ever played. Added to the traditional country material are original songs penned by band member Roger Brown. Mary Sue Wilkinson will melt the coldest cold, cold heart with her stunning renditions of the Patsy Cline songbook. Brian Nolf has the smooth vocal style and emotion of Jim Reeves and the energy of Buck Owens. Roger Brown can write a song, sing like Haggard and pick a guitar like Merle Travis. Roger Tarczon is the most in demand and tasteful drummer around, offering a musicality seldom found in the rhythm section of a band. With The Wilenes you have the opportunity to hire a band that includes a Grammy nominated singer and bass player straight out of Nashville and Marty Stuart's band; a singer/songwriter that played with Gerry Rafferty, toured with Freddy Fender and wrote music for Ringo Starr; and a drummer that played with David Crosby and more in L.A. Add to that all star line-up one of the best female vocalists in the Midwest. And where did the name come from? The Wilenes formed as a spin off from Sister Wilene, Mary Sue's traditional country band. WIth the change in personnel and the addition of Brian it was time to acknowledge that this band has three powerful frontline singers. But why give up all the name recognition from several years as Sister Wilene? Why Sister Wilene in the first place? WIlene Forrestor played accordian with Bill Monroe and the original name was a nod to women in country music. It's as simple as that!