The COVID 19 crisis has hit the arts, culture and creative economy especially hard. Losses to the livelihood of musicians, artists and performers is staggering. If you enjoy this performance, please consider a gift to the performer! You can find Carl on Venmo at @Carl-Wirkkala or Christine at www.beesinabottle.com

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Carl Wirkkala/Christine McAllister Duo

Good Old-Fashioned Country

Aired date: November 7, 2020

Carl Wirkkala

Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, singer-songwriter Carl Wirkkala brings to life tales of ghost towns, trains, and lonesome drifters through his music. A fifth generation logger, he also has penned several tunes drawn from his many years of working in the woods.

The core of Wirkkala’s music is based around the art of songwriting. With a musical style driven by guitars, bass, drums and steel guitars, the music hearkens back to the stylings of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Billy Joe Shaver, Bob Dylan and Townes van Zandt.  Wirkkala does play covers of the songwriters he admires, but brings to life his own songs with a raw and driving sound. His lyrics utilize both a poetic and descriptive technique that avoids the normal country cliches. He has been writing and performing for 20 years and has 8 studio albums with another on the way featuring his new band, The Whistle Punks.  

In 2010, Carl recorded an album, “1974” in Nashville with members of Waylon Jennings’ band.  It was produced by legendary drummer and producer Richie Albright.

Wirkkala’s current band plays venues in Portland and Vancouver as well as various regional festivals.

 Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarlWirkkalaSongwriter/  and Website: www.carlwirkkala.com

Christine McAllister

Christine McAllister is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Portland, OR. She is half of the indie rock duo, Bees In A Bottle, and contributes as a bassist and vocalist to other artists’ projects through studio, live performance, and film. She’s excited to be performing with Carl Wirkkala for his ‘Artists in Our Midst’ session.

Website: www.beesinabottle.com