The World-Famous Flying W Wranglers
A History of Delighting Nightly Crowds
Creating the Memories of a Lifetime
The world-renowned Flying W Wranglers are the second-oldest Western performance band in the world. Their stunning three-part harmonies, superb instrumentation, and clean bunkhouse humor have delighted over seven million people since 1953. There have been over 60 individuals that have been a part of the Flying W Wranglers, with several of them performing for the Ranch for more than 30 years. The Flying W Wranglers have performed in many parts of the world, including USO tours in Vietnam during the war; at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee; in London, England; at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and Carnegie Hall in New York City. The Flying W Wranglers have been featured in local and national television commercials, performed with world-class symphonies, sung at major sporting events, and won a wide variety of musical awards.
Troubadours of The West – The Flying W Wranglers
From 1953 to 1957, the performers at the Flying W Ranch ranged from college students and folk singers to the Sons of the Pioneers. In 1957, the Flying W Wranglers were officially unveiled. Through the years, over 60 individuals have been a part of the Flying W Wranglers, with several of them performing for the Ranch for well over 30 years.
The Flying W Wranglers are now the second-oldest Western performance band in the world. Their three-part-harmonies of time-honored tunes of the open range, high-quality instrumentation, and clean bunkhouse humor have delighted over seven million people from around the world.
In addition to performing at the Ranch, they performed in USO tours in Vietnam during the war; at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee; in London, England; at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The Flying W Wranglers have been featured in local and national television commercials, performed with several world-class symphonies, sung in major sporting events, and won a wide variety of musical awards.
Given the deep legacy for the re-birth of the Ranch post-Waldo Canyon fire, over 300 musicians and entertainers were auditioned.
Introducing the Flying W Wranglers
MICHAEL AMIDEI
Michael Amidei is a musician, author, poet, and podcaster based in Denver, Colorado. Originally joining The Flying W Wranglers in their 2006 season, he is thrilled to once again be able to sing the music that evokes the open range and the mythic landscape of the West.
BOBBY EDWARDS
Bobby Edwards is a musician from Wichita, Kansas. Growing up he was surrounded by a musical family. His father plays the keys and his mother sings. You’ll typically find him sitting behind his drums on stage where he’ll occasionally sing harmonies and sometimes he might even sing in tune.
BRIAN CHOMKA
Brian Chomka comes from Poncha City, Oklahoma, where the oil flows like…oil. In addition to being a fantastic bass player and musician, Brian enjoys hiking, golf, traveling, and cooking. When not performing with the Wranglers, Brian regularly takes the stage with musical acts around the Colorado Springs area.
LUKE TRIPP
Luke Tripp started playing the violin when he was only 10. Growing up in a missionary family, he spent most of his youth in Brazil, where, under the influence of his father, he learned to play bluegrass and country music. Luke works as Orchestra director and teacher in an award-winning school in District 11 that offers strings instruction for K-5 students, the only public program in Southern Colorado to do so.
ETHAN PARKS
Ethan Parks is a Colorado native. Originally from Calhan, he grew up around agriculture and rural life. He then moved to Colorado Springs to work on his undergraduate degree in Communication. His plan is to finish his degree, then continue his education at University of Montana School of Law. When he isn’t onstage with the Wranglers, he enjoys playing with another live band, Ponderosa.