Nearly every Thursday evening in downtown SLO, this stranger with blue eyes can be seen burning up the keyboard with his easy listening-loving fingers. Whether he's covering Coldplay, Don Henley, or just belting out a self-crafted tune, he's sure to delight your every sense (excluding possibly taste, as you just shouldn't be that close to him and there are delicious eateries available at every turn). In a sea of impersonal musical standards such as mariachi, jazz and folk music, this nameless wonder surely stands out in the crowd. Perhaps best about his performance is the fact that if you take the time to acknowledge him, he'll take the time to acknowledge you. Even after the sun goes down, his own lights illuminate his craft like a beacon of hope. A friendly smile, head nod, or simply a kind gaze deep into your eyes is all it takes for this transcendental street musician to penetrate deep into your very soul. Now, if you aren't into that kind of thing, keep walking. But if a one-man rendition of "Boys of Summer" is your cup of tea, it is advisable to stop and take a drink of this unknown musical soldier.

-The Spyglass, October, 2003

"Armed with a piano and rural background, local musician Garth Wilwand lives to tell tales.
Whether it's the plight of the heartland farmer or a down-on-his luck rebel, Wilwand uses his music to paint lyrical tales of Americana.
A self-taught pianist, Wilwand grew up on a small ranch in rural Nebraska, but now calls California home. He draws on those memories of grain fields and family faces for musical inspiration."

-by Mark Resnick, Tickett, SLO, California
To read the rest of the Tickett review, choose this link. File size 234k

"A prolific songwriter, Wilwand was born in the Bay Area, but moved to Nebraska at age 11, when his family decided to return to their ranchland roots. That environment, he says, and the family's ever-present piano in the house, were major influences. "I've been playing piano as far back as I can remember, he recalls.

Now, Wilwand say, he's throwing his music out there to see who likes it."

- By Vic LeBlanc, The Gazette, August 21, 2001.
To read the rest, choose this link. File size 50k

"The lyrics of Wilwand's songs are often stories put to music. He likes to tell stories of his Nebraska experiences, farming and the people who influenced him. "My songs cover a lot of different subject matters." he said.
Melodies usually make the first appearance when Wilwand is writing songs. "I'll just hear the melody in my head and then I'll sit down at the piano and the melody and lyrics just seem to come together."

Wilwand is a frequent attraction at coffee houses and clubs. He has also played venues in the Midwest and the San Francisco Bay area and has had exposure on national television, playing on a locally produced cable show."

- By Anna Schmidt, Record Assistant Editor, The Chadron Record, Nabraska
To read the complete review, choose this link. File size 227k

"There's more than just Nebraska memories on the CD. Wilwand explores all realms, including today's society. Such is the case in the melancholy track, "Forgive This Town", where Wilwand expresses a need for simple things. 'I'd like to find a girl that's good to me in spite of this insanity, pulls me close as the sun goes down and helps me to forgive this town'."

- The Crawford Clipper, Crawford, Nebraska
To read the rest, choose this link. File size 69k