Crossings brings Cheryl Wheeler to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Friday, October 11, at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $24 in advance, $26 at the door, and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

Cheryl Wheeler performances are a two-for-one deal: Audiences will relish her rich, soul-baring alto voice, and the next moment laugh out loud at her storytelling.

While most have undoubtedly heard Wheeler’s songs covered by well-known artists including Garth Brooks, Bette Midler, Kathy Mattea and Peter, Paul and Mary, audiences discover works never recorded anywhere when they attend her show.

Listeners will marvel at the magic of her beautiful voice singing perceptive lyrics – that’s when they meet poet-Cheryl, writer of some of the prettiest, most alluring and intelligent ballads on the modern folk scene. Before long, there’s an appearance by her evil twin, comic-Cheryl, a militant trend defier and savagely funny social critic.

Wheeler’s career started in the Baltimore, Maryland/Washington, D.C. area, where one of her first gigs was at a Steak and Ale restaurant. She released a few independent albums before being signed in 1990 by Capitol's Nashville division. After a short stint in country music, she settled at Philo Records.

Wheeler emerges as a gifted and openhearted songwriter approaching the sure summit of her craft. Her abiding faith in her audience’s ability to find their own life reflected in the sweet spaces of her songs reveals an artist comfortably wearing the austere genius that defines folk music’s best traditions. More confidently and beautifully than ever before, she proves that the poet and the comic are one and the same.

Cheryl Wheeler

The State Theatre is located at 96 East 4th Street in Zumbrota. For more information call 507-732-5210.