Event

An Evening With Wes Mackey

Bluesman Wes Mackey to perform September 20 at Kiona Winery

With childhood stress-induced stuttering, young Wes Mackey had a difficult time expressing himself. As a boy, Wes walked around pretending to play the guitar. He learned to play when his older brother gave him a hand-me-down guitar with only three strings, but he didn't think he'd ever be able to sing. Hearing Mel Tillis, also a stutterer, singing on the radio encouraged him to give it a try. It really gave him hope when he realized he could sing without stuttering. His friends used to tell him, "Wes, if you can't say it, sing it."

Wes' musical career has spanned more than 50 years and taken him around the world. At times, he played whatever people wanted to hear including jazz, rock, and country. He made it through the hard times, turned his life around, and returned to his roots of playing the blues.

Wes has said, "Music saved me! When everything was going wrong, music freed me and gave me hope."

Come meet Wes Mackey and hear him in concert at Frichette Winery on Saturday, September 20. The winery offers an intimate setting with a fantastic view of the sun setting over Benton City. Bring your friends and enjoy an evening of fine music, hors d'oeuvres, and wine. Tickets $30, wine will also be available for purchase. For more information, contact Randy Rutledge, 947-7332.