Chris Weydeveld - 2nd Street

Q: First, tell us a little about yourself! Where are you from, how did you get your start in music, and what does your musical journey look like today? Is this just a hobby? Do you play professionally? If so, where at?

A: I grew up in Pacific Grove, California before immigrating to Cheyenne Wyoming when I was eight years old. I went to college at the University of Wyoming and University of Montana studying Forestry. I spent my career practicing Forestry in the mountains and on the rivers of Wyoming. I started singing Woody Guthrie songs with my father as a toddler. I began learning guitar and songwriting as a pre-teen. My first public performance was in the Cheyenne Jessup Elementary School talent show. My “band” sung an original Be-Bop song I wrote titled “My Babe Has Gone Away”. I am an amateur musician and play for peace of mind and connection with others.

Q: What's your connection to Casper, Wyoming? Are you a local or a previous visitor? Tell us a little about your relationship with the community and what makes this place special to you.

A: I moved to Casper in 2009 with my family and have kept a home there since. I have a multi-faceted relationship with Casper. I have been interested and involved with the arts, parks, and the musical community since forestry work on the mountain in the 1990’s and a New Years’ Eve musical gig at the Wonder Bar in 1996. I value Casper for its support of the arts and its commitment to a healthy river and mountain environment.

Q: What inspired your Casper Anthem submission? What stories, places, people, experiences, or personal memories helped shape the song? Was there a particular moment or aspect of Casper that sparked the idea?

A: I always look for opportunities to be involved in musical projects. Also, I have long admired the Casper City Government and the work it does supporting the arts. I hope my song contribution furthers the efforts of the City in promoting and supporting the arts. My song began several years ago first as a melody, rhythm, and chord progression. The very rough original song lyrics personified Casper as a dynamic human being, navigating a life, as we all do, of peaks and valleys. The curving 2nd Street in downtown Casper, the straight railroad tracks, the graffiti on the boxcars, the neon signs, the mountain, the river, are all inspirational downtown landmarks. The song was born after a late-night walk on 2nd Street.

Q: Take us behind the music. What did your creative process look like from writing the lyrics to creating the sound? How did you approach writing and producing it? Were there any particular musical influences, sounds, lyrics, or creative decisions that helped capture the feeling and personality of Casper?

A: Most songs come to me first as a chord progression or melody that I stumble upon during endless hours playing a guitar, banjo or mandolin. The lyrics often reflect something currently on my mind or in my environment (I write a lot of songs featuring wind). I never use AI though I sometimes use a thesaurus or rhyming dictionary. This past month I’ve spent about 40 hours working on “2nd Street Casper”. I’ve probably had an additional 40 hours in the past years workshopping ideas for the original song concept. My goals in writing a song I know I will be happy singing and playing for my whole life and one that connects with a listener. The original idea was probably inspired by towns’ people. Casper has an amazing assortment of talent: The Cory McDaniel Duo musically, Jim Kopp and Zak Pullen with art, Connie Morgan with neon, Bart Rea with literature. There are too many to even begin naming.

Q: When someone hears your song, what do you hope they take away from it? What do you hope a listener who has never visited Casper learns, feels, or experiences through your music? And for those who already know and love Casper, what do you hope the song reminds them of?

A: I hope the listener is able to hear a song celebrating the town of Casper as a place with music in its heart and soul. A place protective of its precious river and mountain. A place of diverse people all “raising a glass” together in a shared spirit. Mostly that the listener might find some value in the song. A visitor to Casper will find a place with music deep in its culture. A place of seasons with snow in the winter and fly fishing adventure on the river. A downtown with interesting sights like a spiral staircase to nowhere. For my music-loving friends in Casper, I hope my offering to the collective musical kaleidoscope adds a pleasing color.