The Wilders are a unique and rambunctious hillbilly stringband, from Kansas City, that formed in 1996. The do good old-time all-American country honky tonk.

Little Known Facts: Betse Ellis grew up playing classical music, but listening to The Who, Talking Heads, The Police, and other punk/new wave groups. Ike Sheldon attended college in Missouri and studied opera. The band has played Winfield, Ks., Branson, Mo, Nashville, Tn., and many points between. For more info on their fan club, see http://www.wildersfanclub.com/

Seven of the 14 songs are originals (plus Ike Shelton's additional music and lyrics for Hank Williams' "Won't You Sometimes Think of Me"). The band likes to boogie with covers like Johnny Cash's "Belshazzar" and Hank's "The Blues Come Around." There are plenty of new fresh old-time sensibilities in original fiddle tunes like Betse Ellis' reeling "Goat Creek" that impart spirit to one's feet. I recently also heard "Squirrel Hunter" on The Tallboys' "Yeah Buddy" album, and that tune would really come to life with a little more tempo and drive imparted into it.

Lead singer and guitarist Ike Sheldon is solidly accompanied by award-winning fiddler Betse Ellis, multi-instrumentalist Phil Wade (dobro, banjo, mandolin), and bassist Nate Gawron.

A feather in their bonnets is the fact that this CD was engineered and produced by Dirk Powell at his Cypress House studio in Beaux Bridge, La.

A Wilders' bumpersticker might say, "We're tight and a bit obstreperous too!"  I found them to be a skillful, entertaining band with a formidable and captivating persona.