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Songwriter turns to Buddhism Musician performs country tunes with Eastern perspective
By Jennifer Youssef / The Daily Telegram in Adrian
TECUMSEH -- Country music's next biggest star may be living in Lenawee County. Steve Wyse of Tecumseh has been singing country songs for more than three decades. He recently released his second CD, titled "Down Home Dharma." From the sound of the title, anyone can tell this isn't just ordinary country music.
Dharma refers to the teachings of Buddhism, the essence of which holds that all living things are interdependent. It also refers to the everyday experiences of life that make these teachings meaningful.
Wyse, 39, incorporates the wisdom of Buddhism into his songs to create a new "enlightened" form of country music. He began practicing Buddhism six years ago on the advice of his pastor at Unity Church, a nondenominational church he attended in Jackson.
Wyse, an electrical contractor by trade, performs solo as well as in a band named Ramblin' Fever. "I had a lot of questions," Wyse said, explaining why he began meditating and exploring other religions. "There's a lot of suffering out there, and like a lot of people, I was looking for answers."
But instead of finding answers, Wyse said he has only come across even more questions about life. He is studying Christianity, Buddhism and the American Indian culture in his quest to find the answers, and combines his knowledge of different faiths with his music to give his songs "spiritual meaning," he said.
Wyse incorporates the morals and standards of those faiths and cultures into much of his music, but the songs are not "preachy," said friend and bandmate David Pate. Pate plays bass guitar with Ramblin' Fever and has known Wyse for 2 1/2 years.
"I think he writes very well. I enjoy playing the songs he wrote," said Pate, a mechanical inspector for the city of Adrian. "Some (song)writers get too technical and they lose people. Steve doesn't do that. He knows what they want to hear and what they want to dance to."
"He doesn't to push religion in his songs," he added. Jim Kilpatrick, another friend, had the same sentiment about Wyse's songs. "I think it touches on a lot of areas," Kilpatrick said. "It's not 100 percent country, it's not 100 percent spiritual. It's got everything in it."
"To me, every song has a message," he continued. "It's soothing and inspiring music. You get hooked on it." Wyse began performing for audiences at a young age when his grandmother would ask him to sing for her friends, he said. He said he uses his musical talent and spirituality to give his listeners a moment of peace and solace from the daily grind.
"I want to share the experience with people," Wyse said. "I have a gift and I'm going to give it. People can take it or leave it." Along with his given name, Wyse also uses the name Ch'agil on his CDs. The name, pronounced "Cha-GEEL," was bestowed on him when he took his sacred vows at the Buddhist temple he attends in Ann Arbor. The name means "happy and auspicious," he explained.
Wyse said his songs often come to him instantly, many times during meditation. He listens to New Age music, but he does not draw his song ideas from other song artists, Wyse said. "The inspiration comes from my higher self," he said.
Jennifer Youssef writes for the The Daily Telegram in Adrian. This report was distributed by the Associated Press.
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