Shane Wyatt: Photo by Darin BackHear Shane Wyatt perform live in concert Saturday, April 26 at Arizona’s Restaurant and Lounge in Shakopee. According to Wyatt’s Web site, he was born in a small town in Oklahoma and “raised by a family of cowboys and truckers.” He started playing fiddle when he was 10 and guitar at 14.

His musical influences are soulful country and bluegrass singers like Keith Whitley, Merle Haggard and Alan Jackson. When Wyatt began playing in larger venues he looked again to entertainers he admired — Hank Williams, Jr., Garth Brooks, and Chris LeDoux — for showmanship inspiration.

Wyatt’s debut album will be released in June. The mix of tunes, which are all written by Wyatt, are “a reflection of all of his influences – modern, edgy declarations of love, soulful ballads, cowboy honesty, and high energy, boot kickin’ anthems,” according to his Web site.

He’s performed all over Minnesota, from Lee’s Liquor Lounge in Minneapolis to CJ’s Coffee and Wine Bar in Chanhassen. In concert, Wyatt and band play a combination of his original songs like “Last Cowboy” and “Happy Hour,” and those by well-known performers like Johnny Cash, “Folsom Prison Blues,” Merle Haggard, “Mama Tried,” and Big and Rich, “Save a Horse.”

SHANE WYATT IN CONCERT
Time: 9:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. Saturday, April 26
Wyatt is also scheduled to perform at Arizona’s on Friday, June 6
Location: Arizona’s Restaurant and Lounge, 1244 Canterbury Rd., S. Shakopee. Arizona’s is located in The Canterbury Inn, next to Canterbury Park Race Track and Card Room
Information: 952-403-9106 or www.shanewyatt.com