Seven Days: Vermont's Independent Voice

One of These Things is Not Like the Others

Bob Dylan. Willie Nelson. John “Cougar” Mellencamp. The Wiyos. One of these things, as the old “Sesame Street” song goes, is not like the others. Can you pick out which one just does not belong? If you said “the Coug,” well … we’ll go ahead and give you that one. But the real answer is, of course, The Wiyos. Though they lack the name recognition of the songwriting icons with whom they’ll be sharing a stage this weekend, they are nonetheless a fascinating group in their own right. Something of a living American music encyclopedia, the quartet blends an amalgam of influences ranging from traditional Americana to modern pop with numerous historical stops along the way. So, do yourself a favor and show up early when the band opens for Dylan, Willie and Mellencamp this Friday, July 17, at the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds.