Pyle makes annual New Year’s visit to Dornan’s on Tuesday

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

By Henry Sweets

Jackson Hole,Wyoming - Chuck Pyle is known to many as the “Zen Cowboy” for his tendency to blend a bit of Eastern mysticism into his wide-open Western narrative. But don’t be distracted by the sobriquet: At the end of the day, his music is simply good country-Western, and any fan of good songwriting will enjoy his act as well as delving into his prolific songwriting career at his website, www.ChuckPyle.com.

Pyle makes his annual early-year visit to Jackson Hole on Tuesday, appearing, as usual, at Dornan’s in Moose, for what has, over the past 15 years, become something of a rite of the season.

Pyle tells mostly down-to-earth stories about people growing up, falling in love, or just riding the tide of the cosmos. The “new age” western philosophies that Chuck follows in his own spiritual life are only one facet of a robust and timeless cowboy sound.
He moved to Colorado back in 1965, when “Boulder was mostly gravel streets.” He has lived in the Front Range ever since. From there, he maintains an active touring schedule, playing 100 shows a year, these days.

He also recently released his tenth album. Past projects, such as “Guided by the Moon” and “Keeping Time by the River,” are celebrations of his adopted landscape, but his latest release, “Higher Ground – Songs of Colorado,” is an overt tribute to the land he calls home. For this last effort he compiled nine tracks from past albums along with three previously unrecorded.

Chuck’s songs have been recorded by the likes of John Denver, Jerry Jeff Walker and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. He has played for the Colorado State Legislature and PBS, and he has taught his unique rhythmic guitar picking style – which he calls “Rocky Mountain Slam Picking” – at workshops across the country.

Catching him at as intimate a setting as Dornan’s is a treat, and loyal fans and newcomers to his music have sold the tiny venue out on many of his past visits. Dennis Johnson, the booking agent at Dornan’s, said to expect “original music and a good time.”

Pyle’s Jan. 8 show at Dornan’s will start at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $15 each and are available at the Valley Bookstore or by calling Dornan’s at 733-2415 ext. 200.

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Pyle makes annual New Year’s visit to Dornan’s on Tuesday | Planet JH News Article: General Music Arts and Culture

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