Midwesterners, The
Call it roots rock, Americana, rockabilly or alternative country --
all these elements are the distinctive sound that is...The Midwesterners
Biography The Midwesterners is the brainchild of Madison songwriter and guitarist Richard Wiegel. Back in 1991, after years of guitar-slinging in one band after another, Wiegel decided to work on his own no-nonsense blend of rock and country. With his pick of musical talent and a collection of songs, Weigel produced a CD called The Midwesterners.
Isthmus said, Brainy honky tonk. Rockzilla World noted the, subtle, easy glide style of slide guitar and called Wiegel, One of the better songwriters in this genre.
The core of players on that CD kept the band alive over the next decade. In 2000 they recorded a second collection of Wiegel originals on Pretty Little Town.
The Onion dubbed the sophomore outing rollicking Americana. Maximum Ink called it true to form winding through descriptive autobiographical lyrics.
With original drummer Mark Haines, guitarist and singer Ernie Conner, and bassist Tom McCarty, Wiegel put together a road-ready band. In 2004 The Midwesterners were nominated for a MAMA (Madison Area Music Awards) in the Best Country Band category.
In early 2005 the band began work on a new CD of songs inspired by an early musical hero, Chuck Berry. Though release was delayed while Weigel recovered from a heart attack, less than a year later, Ridin' With Chuck hit Madison airwaves.
Tom Laskin of Isthmus described it as refreshingly straight ahead.  Stands out in a very crowded roots-rock marketplace. Rick's Cafe found it hard to imagine a band that blends early rock and roll, genuine country influences and honky-tonk so successfully.
Since the release of Ridin' With Chuck, fans have balloted The Midwesterners into contention for Best Country Band in the Isthmus, Best-of-Madison Reader's Poll.
The Midwesterners keep it authentic, creating a vital link to rock and country's past with just the basic ingredients: two guitars, bass and drums.
Back | Home
