The Ever-Changing Sixtyfourwest
Sixtyfourwest is emerging as one of the most sought after groups in the Kentuckiana area, and for good reason: You will never see the same Sixtyfourwest show twice.
Founded by Bill Yackey and Aaron Weaver of Louisville, Ky., the group prides itself on its versatility. If the gig is a large concert hall or outdoor festival, the two bring their full 4-piece band along. In quiet settings, the two will go back and forth between guitar and cello. If the gig is at a rowdy bar, the two turn up the acoustic and entertain for hours. And if the gig is a fundraiser or event, the two clean up their act and impress the crowd.
“We played Keeneland Race Course one time and had to be real quiet so as not to upset the horses,” said guitarist Bill Yackey. “We played the whole show unplugged, like an old-time folk deal, harmonizing on just about everything. Later that night we put on a rock show at a bar.”
The key to their flexibility is their songlist, which totals more than 130 tunes spanning the last four decades and across all music genres.
“We’ll play Tim McGraw, then something like O.A.R., then we’ll play ‘Killing Me Softly’ by the Fugees using just vocals and beatbox and people go nuts,” said Aaron Weaver, lead singer of the group. “Then we’ll turn around and play something they just heard on the radio earlier on in the night.”
Weaver and Yackey’s success isn’t unfounded. They have a long-standing history of singing in the Louisville area, having been in Kentucky All-State Choirs and numerous groups at the University of Kentucky, including the acclaimed AcoustiKats a cappella group. That classical and a cappella training has stunning results when it comes to singing pop-style music.
“First and foremost, people notice the singing,” said Yackey. “It really surprises people too. Too little attention is paid to vocals, especially on the local music scene. We do the opposite, turn down the guitars and turn up the vocals.”
The group doesn’t stick exclusively to covers, either. Sixtyfourwest has recorded over 40 songs since 2004, with seven of them appearing on their Sixtyfourwest EP, released in September 2009. The songs blend folk rock with soul, tinged with a bit of country which reflects the group’s Kentucky roots. The single off the record, “That’s What Makes Her Kentucky,” features Gary Carter on pedal steel, who formerly played with Randy Travis and Faith Hill
Partial Song List
Today’s Hits
Hey, Soul Sister – Train Notion – Kings of Leon Come on get Higher – Matt Nathanson Come Pick Me Up – Ryan Adams Crash – Dave Matthews Crazy Game of Poker -OAR Everything you want – Vertical Horizon Gotta Be More – Marc Broussard Fix You -Coldplay Follow you down – Gin Blossoms Here is gone-Goo Goo Dolls Hey Girl – OAR Iris – Goo Goo Dolls I’m Yours – Jason Mraz Mr. Brightside – Killers Sex on Fire – Kings of Leon Shattered -OAR She Will Be Loved – Maroon 5 Use Somebody -KOL Where you are – Marc Broussard Viva La Vida -Coldplay
‘90s
3 a.m. – Matchbox 20 All for you – Sister Hazel Breakfast @ Tiffany’s – Deep Blue Something Down in a Hole – Alice in Chains Champagne Supernova -Oasis Hey Jealousy – Gin Blossoms High and Dry -Radiohead How’s It Gonna Be – 3EB If You Could Only See -Tonic Jumper – Third Eye Blind Meet Virginia – Train Push -Matchbox 20 Save Tonight – Eagle Eye Cherry Semi Charmed Life – Third Eye Blind What Would You Say? – Dave Matthews When I Come Around – Green Day Wonderwall -Oasis Good – Better than Ezra
‘80s
American Girl – Tom Petty Don’t stop Believing -Journey Free Fallin’ – Tom Petty Livin on a Prayer – Bon Jovi The next to be w/ you – Mr. Big Where the Streets have no name – U2 With or Without You – U2
Classics
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison Have you ever seen the rain -CCR Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffet Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond Sweet Home Alabama – Lynrd Skynrd To make you feel my love – Bob Dylan Why Don’t We Get Drunk and Screw – Jimmy You’ve Lost That Lovin Feeling – Righteous Bros. Use me – Bill Withers
Country
Anything But Mine – Kenny Chesney Chicken Fried – Zac Brown Band Dixieland Delight – Alabama Don’t happen twice – Kenny Chesney Family tradition – Hank Williams II Fast Cars and Freedom – Rascal Flatts Friends in Low Places – Garth Brooks I like it, I love it – Tim McGraw Praying for Daylight – Rascal Flatts Real Good Man – Tim McGraw Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy – Big & Rich These Days – Rascal Flatts Toes – Zac Brown Band Wagon Wheel – Old Crow Medicine Show
Hip Hop/R&B/Soul
I’ll make love to you – Boyz II Men I Belong To You – Brian McKnight Killing me softly – The Fugees Regulate – Nate Dogg & Warren G
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