Award-winning WireWood Station got their name the natural way—by honoring the wire of their strings and the wood of their instruments… because nothing beats the sound of real music made from real stuff. (Also, “Pluckin’ Around” didn’t make it past the first band meeting.)
This eclectic bunch of professional pickers and strummers have been strumming their way into hearts across the Rockies. They’re proud to be the reigning champs of “Best Acoustic Band in Colorado” from the Rocky Mountain Music Festival, finalists at the iconic Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and multi-year winners of “Best Band” in Colorado Springs—an honor voted on by readers of The Gazette (and not just their cousins).
The members of WireWood Station have some serious mileage on their musical passports—touring stages across Europe, South America, North Africa, and the Middle East, and playing everywhere from Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center to Red Rocks, Branson theaters, and Nashville studios. Between them, they've traded solos and stage lights with jazz greats, rock legends, and country icons alike.
Over the years, WWS has had the privilege of sharing the stage with some of country music’s biggest names—including the late, great Charlie Daniels, Randy Travis, Sawyer Brown, Mark Chesnutt, Phil Vassar, Billy Dean, Blackhawk, The Marshall Tucker Band, Josh Ward, and Dwight Yoakam... just to name a few.
Michelle Edwards has a BM in classical violin performance—and that little piece of wood under her chin has taken her places. From symphony halls to honky-tonks, her violin has been her passport to the world. She began her professional career in classical symphonies but hung up her black concert dress when Wayne Newton (yes, that Wayne Newton), came calling. At just 22, she became the youngest tour member ever hired.
Life on the road led to 13 music-packed years in Nashville, where she played with country stars, jazz legends, and Christian artists—mostly on Music Row. Her journey has included performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Colorado’s own iconic Red Rocks.
More recently, Michelle added “author” to her resume with the Amazon best-selling book How to Break into the Local Music Scene (and Make Money!)—a survival guide for musicians who’d prefer to get paid in cash instead of pizza. She’s also penned five picture books, including Cheers to Hot Flashes and Friendship, Where Love Always Lives and three rhyming children’s books: Great Big Goals, The Treasure of the Old Violin, Eli's Extra Mile and The Little Drummer’s Christmas Gift.
A big thank-you to the readers of the Gazette, who voted her Gold for “Best Musician”—she’s still blushing. Michelle is the founder and fearless fiddler of WireWood Station, where her band brothers keep her busy writing songs, arranging music, and booking gigs. But most of all, she loves connecting with audiences and delivering a foot-stompin’, heart-thumpin’ good time.
https://michelle-edwards.net/
https://www.amazon.com/Break-Local-Music-Scene-Money/
James Dikes has been rocking the bass along the Front Range longer than most of us have been tuning our instruments. With a 25-year track record of playing in more bands than we can count (and probably more than he can, too), James has laid down grooves everywhere from local dives to European stages—including multiple tours with the powerhouse metal band Titan Force and a gig at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater.
When he’s not blowing minds with bass lines, James brings serious vocal chops and killer songwriting to WireWood Station, blending rock edge with rootsy charm. He’s also the proud recipient of the Faces of Bass award from the esteemed Bass Magazine—which we assume is now hanging in a velvet-lined frame somewhere near his pedalboard.
We’re pretty sure his super bass powers come from his luscious locks—think Samson meets Steve Harris. One thing’s for sure: when James hits the stage, the earth rumbles (and not just because the subs are cranked).
Eric Blackmore was born at a very early age (we're told it was a Tuesday) and was hooked on music before he could even spell it. Raised on a steady diet of Hee-Haw and Soul Train, with sonic pit stops from Bakersfield to Beale Street, he developed an incurable case of genre-jumping that continues to this day.
By 17, he was sneaking into clubs—not to party, but to play. By 19, he was touring the Western U.S. (yes, even Alaska—because nothing says "rock 'n roll" like moose crossings). For over 25 years, Eric has been a staple of the Pikes Peak music scene, gracing stages and classrooms alike. His resume includes the legendary Flying W Wranglers, and local heavy-hitters like Collective Groove, Black Rose Band, Citizen Dan, and Barely Garcia.
Eric is a self-proclaimed musical chameleon—he blends, bends, and boosts any band he’s in. Whether it’s funk, folk, country, or classic rock, he shows up, plugs in, and makes it better. Basically, if it makes sound, Eric can play it (and probably teach it too).
