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Willi Carlisle on Tour
Hyper-literate poet, folksinger/songwriter Willi Carlisle is known for his gift of storytelling and evocative, poetic lyrics that get straight to the heart of the matter.
Living in the Ozarks, Carlisle is inspired to tell tales of middle America, from the song "Este Mundo," which is a cowboy ballad about borders and water rights, to "Peculiar, Missouri," the title track off of his 2022 sophomore full-length album about a panic attack in aisle five of Walmart.
Called "powerful, down-home and brainy" by The Washington Post, Carlisle doesn't need much more than an acoustic guitar, a harmonica and his quick wit and turn of phrase to keep audiences engaged and delighted. Don't miss your chance to see this gifted singer/songwriter when he performs live in a city near you.
Willi Carlisle Live in Concert
The son of an Arkansas farmer, Willi Carlisle was born and raised in the midwest in a musical family. His father was a classical trumpet player who also played bluegrass, and his maternal grandmother was a musician as well.
Despite these musical leanings and the fact that Carlisle was mesmerized by music from a very young age, his father didn't encourage him to pursue a career in music, perhaps to help him avoid making the same mistakes he had. Carlisle was forbidden to touch the family record player, but when he was home alone he'd put on cowboy singers and old-time bands such as R. Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders.
The pull of music was too strong, and Carlisle ended up singing in several punk-rock bands in high school. Discovering that it wasn't a good fit, Carlisle focused his attention on storytelling through acoustic, Americana-tinged folk music, which was clearly his forte. He began performing this style of music at parties during his senior year of college, which was very well received. After graduating he went on to earn an MFA in Poetry from the University of Arkansas and decided to pursue a music career in earnest. Carlisle released his debut EP, Too Nice to Mean Much, in 2016 and began touring with his acoustic guitar all around the U.S. in a former church bus -- a way of life he's pursued ever since.
Willi Carlisle FAQ
What is Willi Carlisle known for with his music?
Willi Carlisle is known for his gift of storytelling and evocative, poetic lyrics that get straight to the heart of the matter.
Where does Willi Carlisle live and what inspires him?
Willi Carlisle lives in the Ozarks and is inspired to tell tales of middle America, from cowboy ballads to songs about everyday life.
When did Willi Carlisle release his sophomore full-length album and what is it about?
Willi Carlisle released his sophomore full-length album in 2022, titled "Peculiar, Missouri," which is about a panic attack in aisle five of Walmart.
This was my first time to hear Willi Carlisle and I LOVE THIS GUY!! He’s a story teller, a poet with his lyrics, genuine, honest and creates works of art! My favorite song was the next one ….but a true stand out was: Tulsa’s Last Magician. THANK YOU Willi!!
Absolutely loved Tommy Prine. Would love to see him in his own show. Local Hinies were great too. Not a Willie Carlisle fan. Love the Bijou and WDVX.
Interesting, and very good, mix of music for the radio show. The host and 'house band' were surprisingly good. It was our second time seeing Tommy Prine. He was great. The Local Honeys had a very interesting and pleasant sound. They played somewhat electronic versions of some old classics. We knew nothing about Willi Carlisle. HIGHLY entertaining. Great mix of music and story telling. I loved the radio shows format. A very laid back, pleasant evening.
3rd time seeing Willi. I'm not even a folk music fan, but he has a charisma that is amazing. Songs are thought provoking and he has an amazing voice. Some bands have lasers, lights, and effects. I get more from a single guy on stage with no pomp and circumstance then must fill bands with all the bells and whistles.
