Catch local musician Gritty Flyright live on stage at Chico Feo June 21
from Staff Reports
Being from the South, the musician known as Gritty Flyright was brought up with country music all around. Raised in the upstate but calling Charleston home, he lists outlaw country artists, such as Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson, among his influences, as well as the late-great John Prine. But Gritty says he also grew up listening to R&B music, with artists like Bill Withers and Otis Redding. This comes through in his own style of Americana music that merges elements of blues, country, and soul.
With a seasoned sound and road warrior work ethic, it’s hard to believe that Gritty Flyright wasn’t always a musician. In fact, the South Carolina native, whose real name is Wes Liston, started out as a public school teacher, working in Colleton and Charleston County. It was only after a health scare that he turned to making music as a form of therapy. Now, the talented singer-songwriter has made a career from music, playing gigs all over the Southeast and beyond. A regular on the Folly circuit in recent months, you can catch Gritty Flyright at Chico Feo on Friday, June 21.
Offering solo, duo, trio, and full band shows, Gritty Flyright has connected himself to a group of talented musicians he refers to as “The Music Family.”
“I have made it a point to surround myself with gifted musicians. These performers are incredible at their craft and always bring their best to each show. I am fortunate to have such wonderful friends to collaborate with in this business,” says Flyright, who’s always quick to spread the love when asked about any musical accomplishment.
Either by himself or together with his musical family, Gritty Flyright can be found tapping into multiple instruments including guitar, saxophone, trumpet, harmonica, percussion, fiddle, and banjo, crossing various genres that might change with each gig.
“Both sides of the family are rooted here in South Carolina and I’ve had the privilege to call this great state my home for 37 years. Seems like I’m just sharing stories as I put the words to music. Definitely locally-inspired.”
Gritty Flyright released his debut album Tales of the Famously Unknown in 2022 with songs that retell the seasons of his life.
“[Gritty] pours his heart and soul into the songs he writes and welcomes you to experience the raw emotions that he has for his music,” says local fiddle player and close friend Boyd Richardson. “It’s incredibly relatable and you feel what he’s singing about whether you’re on the stage with him or not.”
The following year, Gritty Flyright continued to crank out original music, including 2023’s “Underneath a Palmetto Moon,” another tip of the hat to his home state. Now halfway through 2024, Gritty and his musical family are showing no sign of slowing down. With a busy tour schedule and new music on the horizon, expect to be hearing a lot more from this talented musician. Whether it’s at a public stage or a private gig in someone’s backyard—or at Chico Feo, which kind of feels like both—Gritty Flyright always delivers a professional performance that covers a wide variety of music in a way that is all his own.
Gritty Flyright will play Friday, June 21 at Chico Feo, located at 122 E Ashley Ave. For more information, visit
www.chicofeos.com.
