November 19, 2018 at 4:27 p.m.
Paul Ehlers and Friends to perform at Nicolet College Nov. 26
Paul Ehlers and Friends to perform at Nicolet College Nov. 26
Ehlers will share that vast and rich collection during An Evening With Paul Ehlers and Friends concert in the Nicolet College Theatre Monday, Nov. 26, at 7:30 p.m., the college announced in a press release.
Ehlers has lived in Rhinelander since 1979 and is bidding farewell to the area as he retires from the work-a-day world as a geology instructor at Nicolet and moves back to his hometown of Cornucopia, Wis., along the shores of Lake Superior, the release states.
Over the past four decades Ehlers has developed his own particular musical style and his last big gig in town will be an evening of collected songs performed with a group of his favorite musicians.
"I write instrumental music for the guitar, and a friend of mine gave it a word: acoustic Americana," he explained. "It's folk music, but not. Country music, but not. Blues, but not. It's usually acoustic based, but not always."
Winnowing a lifetime song collection down to an hour and a half performance of 20 songs has been a challenge for him.
"I've chosen songs that have meaning to me and are fun to play," Ehlers said. "I'll be playing as many original instrumentals as possible, but we'll add vocals to the covers we play."
Ehlers will be joined by several of the musicians he has "collected" during his 40-some years as a performer. First and foremost is his guitarist brother Mark, who Ehlers points to as his teacher, mentor, and main influence.
Members from Slim Pickins will also appear, including Larry Wiesneske on bass, Larry's sister Mary Lee on vocals, and Matt DeLaat on harmonica and guitar. Shannon Hauser, who Ehlers has known since "he used to hang at my music store when he was 13," will also be performing, along with percussionist Pete Stoltman. Krazy Chester bandmates Bruce Oxley and Steve Dallman will also be featured.
"I'll be interspersing my songs with theirs," Ehlers said. "We're going to have a ball. But it could be emotional. I wanted to say goodbye to Rhinelander. I want to share how important Rhinelander has been to me. How happy, grateful, and humbled I am by my life here. I've been so blessed."
Ehlers is especially pleased that his daughters will be in the audience, traveling all the way from Uruguay and Seattle to attend.
Before his 20-year career at Nicolet he walked many paths, including earning a master's degree in geography, before settling on teaching. He was first employed in 1979 with the U.S. Forest Service. Subsequently he worked for Prudential Insurance, sold cars, and owned a local music store. "I just couldn't keep a job," Ehlers joked. "All the while I performed music in the evenings and on weekends. That was the one constant."
He is also an avid bicyclist, and upon retiring to Cornucopia, he's looking forward to a six-month bike trip, followed by, he said, a six-month nap. "When I wake up from that," he said, "we'll see what happens next."
An Evening With Paul Ehlers and Friends is part of the Nicolet Live! 2018-2019 Performing Art Series. Tickets are $10 and can be ordered online at nicolelive.com or by calling (715) 365-4646.
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