With a 60-song live-show repertoire—which includes no covers—the Berkeley Springs, West Virginia-based (by way of Detroit and Washington DC) singer-songwriter-guitarist, C-Wired (a.k.a., Chuck Whyard) has led an adventurous life which—as legend goes—has seen him go from millionaire, to broke, and back to millionaire in the last decade.
Father of four and grandfather of four, he’s been dubbed the “The Sage of Song” due to his personally formulated, time-tested philosophy and mission statement: “Self-introspection. Spiritual Evolution. Sexual Expansion. Freedom from guilt and fear. Joy in Being. No boundaries, no limitations, no judgment. Everything is in the mind. Follow your heart which is where your true self is. Music and lyrics written for older souls who have some reality under their wings.”
“My only rules are do no harm and stay out of jail. Everything else is fair game.”
—C-Wired (a.k.a., Chuck Whyard)
With influences such as Loggins and Mesina, Alainis Morrisette, Dire Straits, and Nick Drake; and a consciousness-expanding intention for his music, Whyard has released his new album, Omega, a blueprint-less and ultra-honest exploration into the life of a modern-day seeker.
HERE’S WHAT WE DUG MOST…
OUR FAVORITE TRACK…
I cannot overstate the pure magic that is the album’s opening and title track, Omega. Imaging an airy, ambient layering of guitars and a weathered vocal timbre, which when united come off like some surreal and sparkling concoction of Pink Floyd and Big Head Todd & the Monsters. Yeah, it’s that good…like liquid sound…
“You come from kindness, I’m findin’ fault
You are so patient, I’m in a rush
You always give, I’m on the dough
You transcend this world, I’m playin’ a bad role
Last stop on the line
Empty station, lost time
Here it comes again
Omega train…”
In transparent and humorous fashion, Gettin’ Sober’s A Bitch, reminisces with a comically crucial tone, over the detrimental fun had when chemically enhanced, and the irony that exists between what’s healthy and what’s fun. (Think: Huey Lewis and the News.)
In a shot of Jimmy Buffett-esque island rock, Angels Dancin’ On The Head Of A Pin, delivers C. Wired’s central philosophies in three concise lines…
“Rule number one, don’t sweat the small stuff
Rule number two, worry about the big stuff
Rule number three, everything is small stuff…”
Jessah gives us another delicious taste of Whyard & co’s Big Head Todd-like jam band-badass-ness. The final 90-second instrumental alone is worth the wait.
Benevolent Angels, embodies the album’s—and likely the man’s—principal sonic theme. And, regardless of your own philosophy or dogma, we can all certainly agree that there is a universality to what Chuck has suggested here. Which essentially is that, at our core, we are nothing more than pure freedom—a freedom we can choose if we’re willing to look deep enough. The final 3 & 1/2 minutes of the track are another quintessential C.Wired instrumental driven by layer upon layer of etheric electric guitars.
IN CONCLUSION…
Brave and abstract. Unencumbered and refreshing. A touch of New-Age. C-Wired’s new album, Omega, is like the sonic equivalent of a Tony Robins seminar, urging a freer mind and a more open heart. Dreamy, sonic textures mostly consisting of layers of ambient electric guitars, a direct and no-holds barred approach to writing, and a cultured vocal timbre immediately reminiscent of one Todd Park Mohr, culminate to form a body of work that is unique to say the least, and arguably crucial.
WHOSE LOVECHILD…?
Big Head Todd & the Monsters meets Leonard Cohen…
BELOW: Listen to C-Wired’s album, OMEGA, and connect with his website and social media platforms. Please support C-Wired by visiting him online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!