This page contains recent stories about Cheryl. You are invited to contribute stories if you hear her mention anything new during one of her shows.

This page contains a number of news items about Cheryl. I'm really bad at thinking about updating this page, so I am hoping that some of you will contact us.

Stories should not include the jokes Cheryl tells during shows, but can be general stories that she jokes about. (For example, the story about building a swimming pool is fine, but not the specific jokes she tells.)

Headlines

Stories

Cheryl Wheeler to be inducted into RI Hall of Fame (18 Mar 2014)

On Sun, 05/04/14, Cheryl will be inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame at 2:00 P.M. The ceremony will take place at:

Hope Artiste Village,
999 Main Street,
Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860

Cheryl's exhibit will be unveiled during cermonies beginning at 2:00 p.m. She will receive her award and she'll be performing during the induction ceremonies and concert beginning at 3:00 p.m.

For more details, see http://www.rhodeislandmusichalloffame.com/

Videos from the induction ceremony

Thanks to Carole for recording the event

The unveiling of Cheryl's panel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev0yQ4PA9mw

Introduction for induction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8ZHk3yktMQ

The induction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6kr11KIzCQ

Aces

http://youtu.be/t-tNlHl9hso

Arrow

http://youtu.be/M1PQvAH8nyU

Info on Cheryl's Instruments (19 Apr 2013)

Here are Cheryl's response to questions about what instruments she plays. Remember that I don't know anything about this stuff, so I can't help you any more than copying her list:

Cheryl is playing a Ukelele again (10 Sep 2012)

Some of you know that Cheryl's first instrument was a broken toy ukelele. Cheryl recently purchased another ukelele, and has written several songs for it.

Cheryl posted the following to her email list:

I feel compelled to address Andrea's uke query: My first instrument was a plastic uke with only 3 strings. The 4th tuning gear was broken off. This worked out nicely though because I just naturally tuned those three strings to a major triad and, by playing it open, then barring the 5th fret, then the 7th, I had the 1,4,5 (C,F,G or G,C,D) chord progression. I played that for a year and for my 11th birthday got a baritone uke and a Mel Bay book with photos of 12 chords. I LOVED that, actually knowing how to tune the uke and being able to play minor chords! For my 12 birthday I got a guitar and didn't play a uke again till spring of 2011 when I played Craig Werth's Lanikai tenor uke backstage at a show we were doing in NH. The following November, Craig emailed me that Elderly instruments was having a sale on those ukes and I bought one.

I just got this in November, don't want to imply I've learned entirely how to play an instrument since November - disclaimer that Andrea mentioned in her post, is just me wanting to tell the audience that if you play guitar it's no big deal to play uke too.

Obviously guitars are much bigger than ukes and have a much lower range, but the relationship between the strings on a uke and the top 4 strings on a guitar is the same (though in soprano and tenor ukes the 4th string is up an octave - as in my dog has fleas). Chords you know on guitar are also uke chords. If you were playing a G chord on a guitar, all you'd be doing on the top 4 strings would be playing the 1st string on the 3rd fret. If you do that on a uke you're playing a C chord. None of this makes you a uke player as we can all see for ourselves if we listen to the likes of James Hill or Jake Shimabukuro, but it is SO MUCH FUN to sit with a uke and fool around.

Billboard Article on Cheryl (21 Dec 2011)

The 20 Dec 2011 issue of Billboard has an article on Cheryl and her Lady Gaga song.

The article is available online

Cheryl at #2 for WUMB Top 100 performers ()

Cheryl was listed as #2 on the WUMB top 100 performer countdown behind Bob Dylan.

Cheryl has usually shown up in the top few positions for their polls each year. When she isn't at #1, she is usually at #2, and it is usually because Dylan is at #1.

You can read the complete list here:

MetroWest Daily News 9/16/11 article (16 Sep 2011)

The local daily newspaper for Framingham, MA publised an article about the Nice Rendition book, which was on display along with some original art work at The Center for the Arts in Nantick.

The article doesn't appear to be available online, but a PDF copy is available on the Nice Rendition web site.

Exhibit / Sale of Nice Rendition originals (19 Apr 2011)

The Washington Calligrahpers Guild will be holding their 35th Anniversary Exhibit at the Gallories at Quiet Waters from April 14 - June 5, 2011. 40 pieces of the original artwork from the book Nice Rendition are on display - many are for sale.

The Galleries at Quiet Waters
600 Quiet Waters Park Road
Annapolis, MD 21403
http://www.calligraphersguild.org/

Nice Rendition Artwork on Exhibit (1 Sep 2010)

There will be a mini-exhibit at The Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River that will show a portion of the Nice Rendition exhibit.

The exhibit will run from Sept 8- Oct 22 in a lead up to Cheryl's performance at The Narrows on October 8th.

More details on the exhibit can be found at: http://ncfta.org/gallery.php, and information about the book can be found at: http://nicerendition.com/.

Nice Rendition: Cheryl Wheeler's Lyrics in Calligraphy (12 June 2010)

Sixty artists have visually interpreted the lyrics of seventy three Cheryl Wheeler songs. Pre-orders for Nice Rendition: Cheryl Wheeler's Lyrics in Calligraphy have begun. It is due to be released on 7/24/10.

To find out more information and to order your copy, please visit nicerendition.com Cheryl will sign the first 500 pre-ordered copies. Also, the first 2000 copies of the book will be numbered.

Art Exhibit of Cheryl's Lyrics in Calligraphy (23 Apr 2010)

An art exhibit of Cheryl Wheeler's lyrics in calligraphy will be held as part of the 30th International Gathering of Lettering Artists in Easton, MA. The exhibit is free and open to the public from July 25 to July 29 2010. The exhibit will include 73 art pieces by 60 international calligraphers.

For more information on this event, see http://www.2010calligraphyconference.com/publicevents.html

Patty Larkin Album Features Cheryl and Others (24 Feb 2010)

Patty Larkin's new record, "25," celebrates 25 years of touring/writing/making records, with 25 friends singing harmony on one of 25 love songs.

From now until March 9 when "25" hits the stores, Patty is previewing one song on her website every day. Today/February 24 is Cheryl Wheeler Day. Tune in as Cheryl and Patty collaborate on "Island of Time."

Fans can also download "Pablo Neruda" with Suzanne Vega for free, and pre-order "25," which Patty will gladly autograph.

Kunc Colorado votes Cheryl's CD #1 Singer/Songwriter (13 Jan 2010)

NPR Radio stationi KUNC in Northern Colorado held a contest where listeners voted for the best album in various categories. Cheryl's Album Pointing at the Sun won in the Singer/Songwriter division.

For the complete list, visit: http://www.kunc.org/ballotthanks.html

Album review for Pointing at the Sun (15 Dec 2009)

Chery'ls CD Pointing at the Sun received 3.5 stars out of 5 in the January 2010 issue of the UK magazine Maverick, which is available at news stands.

For more information on the magazine, see http://www.maverick-country.com/.

Wrong CD in some PATS digipacks (7 Dec 2009)

There may be a manufacturing defect on a few of Cheryl Wheeler Pointing at The Sun's CD digipaks. Some were assembled with the wrong CD wrapped inside.

There were only a few of these, and we think that we have caught the problem ones before they were distributed. If, however, you find the wrong CD in an album you recently purchased, send the defective CDs to:
Tony Gottlieb
PO Box 1770
Hendersonville, TN 37077

A Note from Cheryl about her Guitars (6 September 2009)

A fan sent me a long letter to Cheryl asking a number of details about her guitars. She told me I can add her response to the site, so here it is.

I have lots of guitars, but for those I use most often, I find I use different strings for each.

My main guitar is a Collings C-10, it's a small body guitar that I utterly adore. This particular one is koa back and sides, spruce top. (Like you I find dreadnaughts to be way too big.) On the Collings I use DR Sunbeam Round Core strings, (medium I guess, 54,42,32,24,16,12). I LOVE these strings on this guitar. For most wrapped strings, the wrapping is around a hex core. The folks at DR tell me the round core gives the string a deeper tone and I'd have to say they're right. Your triple 0 might sound good with them if you are looking for more depth from it.

I use different strings on both of my 2 Olsons. On one I use DR RARE phospher bronze mediums. Same gauges as the round core set but DR was kind enough to make up custom sets for me with a 13 and 17 at the top. I think I prefered that at least partly because I was accustomed to the John Pearse mediums I'd been using before a guy at that great guitar store, Woodsongs in Boulder, CO, recommended DRs on what was, at that time, my new Olson. I didn't like the feel of the 12 and 16 on my fretting hand. On what is now my newest Olson I like Elixer nanoweb 80/20 Bronze, lights(53,42,32,24,16,12).

For pickups I use the old, original, Baggs saddle pickup. it's a passive (as opposed to active) pickup. No battery or paraphernalia of any kind inside the guitar. The saddle is the pickup. I love these pickups but I know plenty of people who swear by their Fishmans or whatever they're using. There are lots of good options. It is VERY important that you have a good guitar person install whatever pickup you choose.

As far as the guitar sound on my records, well of course everything matters, including I think, how you touch and hold the guitar. But in a recording environment it is the engineer and what mikes and other recording components he uses that determines the guitar sound. Though most engineers do take a direct signal (from your plugged in guitar) they mostly rely on mikes.

If you can't get used to finger picks, don't try to. I can't get used to a flat pick. Such is life. I am a big believer in the path of least resistance and really do believe that your tendency is your gift.

All I did to "make" a Catash, was open the box in which Penrod's ashes had been returned to us, lift out the little (but very thick) plastic bag that was in there and shake it.

Cheryl, Dan Seals, and Addicted (22 June 2009)

Bernman sent me a link to this blog article by a person who claimed to know both Dan Seals and Cheryl. It includes a YouTube link of Cheryl and Dan singing "Addicted" from the TV Show American Music Shop.

http://justasong2.blogspot.com/

Dirty Linen Article about Cheryl's New Album and Record Label (9 June 2009)

The Bern Man posted a note to Cheryl's e-mail list that Dirty Linen has an article about Cheryl, her new album, and her new record label.

http://dirtylinen.wordpress.com/2009/06/09/Cheryl-wheeler-launches-record-company-new-record/

Cheryl's "Estate Sale" declared the new Retro Renovation anthem (27 May 2009)

The web site Retro Renovation has declared Cherl's song Estate Sale as the site's anthem. See http://retrorenovation.com/2009/05/25/cheryl-wheeler-sings-estate-sale/

Kenny Loggins Records Gandhi/Buddhi (1 May 2009)

Kenny Loggins has recorded Cheryl's song " Gandhi / Buddah" for his new Disney project release titled "All Join In" set for July 2009.

Cheryl Releases her CD Independently (April 2009)

Cheryl released her album Pointing at the Sun on her own label, Dias Music. The album contains many of the newer songs she had been performing in the time leading up to its release.

I asked Cheryl about the significance of the name "Dias". She told me it stood for "Daylight Is Also Starlight".

Cheryl Mentioned in "Ask Billboard" column (6 Feb 2009)

Cheryl Wheeler is mentioned in the Feb 6, 2009 "Ask Billboard" column of the online Billboard Magazine. A fan wrote in asking for her best selling albums and best set.

The article can be found at: http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/ask_bb/index.jsp. You might have to use the link for recent articles.

Cheryl's 2009 Album (9 Jan 2009)

Shelly posted some information about the new album on her CWList:

Thought I would pass along a few tidbits about Cheryl's forthcoming album. At the moment, she's thinking of calling it _Pointing at the Sun_. `Cheryl says the following about the album:

"My new record is nearly done, a few mixes need work. I've recorded 7 songs with Ben Wisch in NYC (Holding On, Pointing at the Sun, One Step at a Time, Gray and Green, You Know You Will, Praise the Lord and Life is Grand, Underbrush) and the 3 cat songs (Cat's Birthday, Cat Accountant and White Cat) with Kenny White in Boston."

I'm also told that Cat's Birthday has a rather unusual shaker in the mix. "(The) shaker that comes in at the top of Cat's Birthday IS Penrod's ashes. I'm crediting the drummer who played it with playing drums and catash."

I'm really looking forward to this album, as I'm sure all of you are. I'm feeling good about the cat trilogy being reproduced intact. And so is my 20-year old cat accountant.

Cheryl at #2 (Behind Dylan) (Nov 2008)

Each year WUMB does a poll of the top folk singers, and each year Cheryl appears at or near the top of the list. This year, Bob Dylan was at #1, with Cheryl in the #2 position. This is the same arrangement as last year.

See http://wumb.org/programs/top100_2008.php

Cheryl Quoted in Magazine Article (October 2008)

In a "Road Trips" story by Ric Hawthorne, Cheryl's "75 Septembers" is quoted. The article is called Road Trips: On Vacation 50 Years Ago - Round Trip from Chicago to the Grand Canyon and it appears in a Suburu magazine. See http://drive.subaru.com/CurrentIssue.htm.

Cheryl's Song used for Nature Video (7 October 2008)

Boston's Channel 5 (ABC) aired a video of fall foilage on their show Chronicle. The background music was Cheryl's When Fall Comes To New England. I didn't see this show, but it must of been quite good. I got several e-mail messages about the show, and the visitors to her site jumped by about 50% after the show.

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/chronicle/17606738/detail.html

New Album in the Works (September 2008)

Cheryl will begin work on a new album in October 2008. No details yet, but it will probably be six months to a year before the album is available.

Cheryl comes in #2 (After Dylan) at WUMB (18 Nov 2007)

Cheryl finished in the #2 slot (behind Bob Dylan) in the 2007 members survey for favorite performer of the last 25 years.

See the WUMB web site. for more details.

Article on Cheryl in Home Power magazine (21 Sep 2007)

The Oct/Nov 2007 issue (#121) of Home Power magazine has an article on page 54 about Cheryl's swimming pool. It is being heated with solar heat, which also generates about 4KW of power. The article has a small picture of Cheryl and Cathleen standing in front of their solar panels.

The URL for the magazine is at http://www.homepower.com/view/?file=HP121_pg50_Sharp.

Driving Home Sent Into Space (26 Feb 2007)

Cheryl was interviewed on "Planetary Radio", where she talked about how a CD of Driving Home was taken into space.

You can listen to the podcast here.

XM15 The Village is proud to present Cheryl Wheeler (Feb 2007)

For more information, visit http://www.xmradio.com

Cheryl Sitting During Shows (Nov 2006)

Cheryl has started sitting during her shows. She says that her knees are sore from having stood through so many shows. She is just as funny as always, of course.

Cheryl's New Swimming Pool (Sep 2006)

Cheryl recently had a swimming pool installed at her home. I don't want to spoil any of her act, but rumors are the stories she tells about the pool are hilarious!

NashBash Celebrates CWList 10th Anniversary (25 March 2006)

On 25 March 2006, members of Cheryl's e-mail list, run by Shelly Brisbin assembled in Nashville, TN to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the list. Cheryl performed at the Belcourt. The show was originally planned for the Bluebird Cafe, but ticket sales quickly made a larger venue necessary. Kenny White opened for her as well as played with her during her set. The first few rows were reserved for members of the list. The person who travelled the furthest came from Australia.

After the show, Cheryl's manager held a meet and greet near the stage area. Cheryl joined in the festivities and spent a lot of time talking to her fans.

As some of you know, Cheryl is an avid reader. She mentioned during the show that she was reading Hairstyles of the Damned by Joe Meno which she loved. The day after the NashBash some list members stopped at a local bookstore for a copy of the book only to find out it sold out earlier that day. The store commented on how quickly the book had sold that day.

Cheryl is now Married (27 May 2004)

Since Cheryl lives in Massachusetts, she and Cathleen were able to get married. Cheryl's sister flew up for the ceremony.

When talking about the experience during her shows, Cheryl has mentioned that they are both surprised how different they feel now that they are married. They had assumed it wouldn't make that much difference (other than legal issues), but have come to find out that being married really does make a difference.

Notes from the Road (May 15, 2003)

Kenny made the best discovery of this trip as He, my manager Tony and I were driving from Tony's house to the Bluebird Cafe. It concerns the Hertz Never Lost GPS. When you scroll through the menu options, a voice speaks them to you. Kenny switched the language to Japanese, much to my annoyance. Then we proceeded to behave like 10 year old boys when we heard "Yellow Pages" in Hertz Never Lost Japanese. Ah the sophisticated world of traveling folksingers...

Tonight is our 2nd night in Chicago, then Kenny flys home. I'll miss him, he is a highly excellent traveling partner and a beyond highly excellent musician. I'm continuing on to Oshkosh and Lacrosse, WI. After that I'll drive up to Minneapolis and fly home. Where I intend to be totally slathered in Border Collie, Chinook and Jack Russell greetings.

Cheryl

Notes from the Road (May 14, 2003)

Kenny White and I have been having a fine time traveling around together these past 11 days. We've driven a little more than 2500 miles so far in the giant Grand Marquis we rented to accomodate all our gear. I started out in Providence, picked him up at the Vince Lombardi rest area just south of the GWB and then we headed southwest.

The gigs have been in Chattanooga & Nashville, TN; Cincinnatti & Columbus, Ohio; Bloomington, IL; Cedar Rapids, IA, and now we're in Chicago.

We've had incredibly intense midwest weather almost every day and are constantly scanning the sky with what must be typical east coaster wimpy paranoia.

On the drive from Columbus to Bloomington we encountered the hardest (and scariest) rain either of us had ever seen. We pulled over, everyone did, even the trucks.

That night there were tornados in several of the neighboring towns, really severe ones. At the gig, after the show, an announcement was made that more were on the way and people who had far to drive were invited to stay there. Since our hotel wasn't far we left.

The hotel staff told us they'd call us if a tornado was approaching, (at which point ALL of the hotel guests would be advised to crowd into the little breafast room). There was intense thunder and lightning, but fortunately no need for the breakfast room cram.

The next day we drove by what a tornado had left of what looked to have been a series of small farm buildings. All were in utter ruins and there was a big, flipped over farm truck, about half of which had been jammed into the ground. Neither of us had ever seen anything like this.

Tough stock these midwesterners.

Cheryl

Notes from the Road (March 19, 2003)

Today I had a day off in Portland, Oregon, really a fabulous town. I was walking around, working on a Penrod song, and I needed to be sure how to pronounce "Feng Shui" (happily for me it's as I thought, Fung Schway) and make sure it made sense where I wanted to use it.

I was walking by a bus stop when I decided I needed a bookstore. I asked this guy who looked like a reader to me and he sent me to what he said was the biggest bookstore in the country, Powell's City of Books. It was just a few blocks away.

Talk about died and went to heaven, it was HUGE, when you walk in you can pick up a map ... of the store ... and you'll need one. I found the info I needed, (the staff at the info desk was outstanding) as well as a used hardback copy of a book called "Duncton Wood" which I'd been told, in prior attempts, I'd have to order from England, on line. They have new and used books together on the shelves. I also bought a new paperback in a fantasy series I'm reading.

If I lived here I can't imagine how much time I'd spend in Powell's. I'll probably go again tomorrow. The gig here is tomorrow night. I'll be doing a lot of reading till then.

Cheryl

Acoustic Guitar Article on Cheryl's Guitars (October 1999 Issue)

Acoustic Guitar article on Cheryl's guitars (at the time).

Cheryl has used various guitars at her shows. What she uses depends somewhat on whether she drives or flies to the venue. She doesn't like to take certain guitars on airplanes, since they have to go into the baggage area.