The Finnish American Folk Festival of Naselle is pleased to welcome, once again, the country band with a leader’s name as common (in these parts) as “Smith” (elsewhere) . . .

Carl Wirkkala & the Ghost Town Boys

Carl Wirkkala comes from a long line of loggers and has logged also. After writing hundreds of songs, Carl began performing and recording, both solo and with his band, The Ghost Town Boys. Their style ranges from folk to country and gospel, mixing old and new. Their new release, their fourth CD, is entitled The Love of God and is a gospel recording.

Carl delivers his songs in a raw no-frills style. His songs both celebrate and mourn the passing of the Old West . . . with a special bow to Johnny Cash. This sound is hard to find in much country music today. It is not “New Country”; but it is also not “Old Hat.”

Carl’s songs call up the beauty and sorrow of living and working in a struggling logging town. Although Carl was born and raised in and around Castle Rock, he has family and roots in Naselle. His songs bring to life the town of Frankfurt, a ghost town of the Columbia, as well as mornings when low fog hangs over timbered valleys. A Ghost Town Boys performance conjures up strong feelings and memories.

Band Members include Carl Wirkkala on guitar and vocals, Tim Current on guitar and vocals, Lucas Hologram, guitar, Eric Nickelson, drums, and Ron Robinson, bass.

More music at the festival: finnam.naselle.net/2008/music/.