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Halden Wofford and the Hi-Beams’ classic
style of honky tonk has a language and culture all to itself, but only
takes one quick lesson to learn how to love for a lifetime. The twang
of the steel guitar, snap of the snare drum, thump of the stand-up bass
and rippin’ electric guitar solos mix with Wofford’s distinctive
vocals to create a sound that is familiar yet purely original. Ringing
out all along the Front Range of Colorado and beyond, Wofford’s
wavering tenor conjures up images of Hank Williams Sr., Buddy Holly and
Bob Wills.
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Those unfamiliar with Halden Wofford and the
Hi-Beams are often as shocked by the band’s rootsy, honky tonk
music as listeners once were by the Beatles’ shaggy hairdos or
Johnny Rotten’s snarling lyrics. But just as old-time beers like
Pabst Blue Ribbon and Miller High Life are again topping the drink charts,
classic honky tonk is back in style with a force. The echoey twang of
the steel guitar, snap of the snare drum, thump of the stand-up bass
and rippin’ electric guitar solos mix with Wofford’s distinctive
vocals to create a solid sound that is familiar yet purely original.
Not unlike hard-core bluegrass, The Hi-Beams’ style of honky tonk
has a language and culture all to itself, but only takes one quick lesson
to learn how to love for a lifetime.
Halden Wofford and his creative powerhouse of talented
musicians are committed to playing real country music, they don’t
stick just to the old, time-tested favorites. The band’s long collection
of original tunes accompanies a handful of familiar crowd-pleasers to
create a bulging repertoire of good music.
Halden Wofford and the Hi-Beams’ first CD was released in 2003
to critical acclaim, topping the Freeform American Roots (FAR) Chart
for two consecutive months. On the heels of a successful appearance on
A Prairie Home Companion, the band’s second CD, Midnight Rodeo,
is due out in June, 2006.

On May 6, 2006, The Hi-Beams appeared on A Prairie Home Companion,
the popular public radio show hosted by Garrison Keillor. The show
was broadcast live from the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland,
Colorado.
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