Willi Carlisle | Corey’s Concert Series

I had the chance to catch a Willi Carlisle show this month and he did not disappoint. On this winter night, Willi played an intimate Columbus venue. Rumba Cafe was packed wall to wall with enthusiastic fans. 

As soon as Willi hit the stage you could feel an immediate buzz of excitement engulf the small bar. Willi showed up in traditional Willi Carlisle fashion sporting western garb and a shiny belt buckle brandished with a large “W”. 

Willi opened up this show with a hit from his “To Tell You The Truth” album. The sounds of harmonica and bones echoed through the Rumba Cafe as Willi began the words to “What The Rocks Don’t Know”. Willi kept the audience on its toes with a mix of his popular hits such as; “Tulsa’s Last Musician”, “Cheap Cocaine”, “Vanlife”, “Boy Howdy, Hot Dog”, and “Peculiar Missouri”, as well as, a hymn and polka song.

If I had to pick one word to describe Willi’s stage presence it would be philosophical. He beautifully incorporated stories, lessons, and comical writings between songs. One particular lesson that stuck with me was Willi’s thoughts on boundaries. He mentioned that it is important to him to have as many boundaries as possible. He noted that this is the reason for his suspenders and belt. He has to make sure that he has as many boundaries as possible between his pants and the floor. The comical timing of this sentiment sent the Rumba Cafe roaring with laughter. This is just one example of Willi’s amazing performance that kept all concert goers captivated from start to finish.

After the show, I was able to catch up with Willi and ask him some Hippies and Cowboys’ style rapid-fire questions. 

Me: “What is your favorite instrument to play on stage for a crowd?

Willi: “It is a moving target and it changes all of the time, but now it is my new accordion. It’s really nice and I just really enjoy playing it right now.”

Me: “Would you rather play a small, intimate venue like tonight, or a larger venue where that are more people screaming songs?”

Willi: “I prefer the smaller venues because I can both whisper and scream at the crowd and they’ll still have a great time.

Me: “Do you have any stories of odd times from hitchhiking?

Willi: “One time I got shot with a paintball gun, which caused me to miss my ride. I ended up having to sleep under an overpass.”

If you haven’t had the experience of seeing Willi Carlisle in concert, I would highly recommend catching a show. From his musical expertise to his jokes, Willi leaves every concert goer with phenomenal experience and plenty of new thoughts on suspenders.