Hayes Carll goes acoustic in weekend performance at Missoula’s Wilma

Singer-songwriter Hayes Carll returned to Missoula last Sunday for his What It Is Tour at The Wilma.

Carll, along with his band the Gulf Coast Orchestra, provided audiences with an intimate acoustic performance that included music from his career that has spanned over six albums, a grammy nomination for best country song in 2016, and American Songwriters’ 2011 Song of the Year for “Another Like You.”

The Texas singer-songwriter, known for his witty yet pointed lyrics, reflected on time spent in isolation during COVID-19 after almost a year and a half of not being on tour.

Throughout the pandemic, Carll performed a weekly live stream entitled “Alone Together Tuesdays” that featured live music for fans deprived of concerts due to social distancing.

One of Carll’s biggest strengths as a performer is his ability to build a natural connection with fans that goes beyond the typical lyrical connection. Carll continually interacted with the audience during his performance telling stories behind the music and his struggles with quarantine.

Carll, who has played at Log Jam’s other venue, the Top Hat, multiple times, said Sunday's show was his first performance on stage at the Wilma.

“It feels so good to be back,” said Carll. “We usually play across the street at Top Hat and always wondered what it would be like to play the Wilma and I think I quite like it.”

Highlights of the show included Carll’s performance of his newest single, “You Get It All,” which will be released later this week as well as his cover of Johnny Cash’s, “I Hung My Head.”

Carll’s next show will be at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, Texas.