Inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame on May 4, 2014, Cheryl is celebrated for her emotionally engaging and often humorous songs. Her work has been covered by artists like Kathy Mattea, Holly Near, Kenny Loggins, Garth Brooks, Bette Midler, and Peter, Paul & Mary.
If your idea of a folk singer/songwriter concert is a bunch of people clapping politely after songs, and then sitting quietly while the performer says things like "This next song is about ...", well, you've never seen a Cheryl Wheeler concert before.
Cheryl's concerts are more like what you would find at a comedy club than expect at a folk music concert. She will tell a story that has you rolling in the aisles, and then sing a song that leaves you wiping tears from your eyes. She will talk about some serious current event, and then sing a song that will have you howling with laughter. Her entire concert is an emotional roller coaster.
After each song, she'll decide what to do next. If somebody calls out a request, and her guitar is in the right key, she might try it, even if she hasn't done it in a while. If she just finished writing a song, she will usually try it out in front of the next audience.
Her funny stories between songs show as much diversity. Each time she tells a story, it will be a little bit different, so even if you've heard it before, you still find yourself laughing.
To repeat, there is no way you can read about Cheryl and get a good picture of what she or her concerts are like. You have to see one.