Willie Wisely takes time from acting for tour

It's the musician's first solo project in more than eight years.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Singer-songwriter Willie Wisely, who recently released new album "Parador," is not a crack dealer, but he plays one on television.
The Minneapolis native and Los Angeles resident has spent the last few years either on a concert stage or in front of a camera. After all, when you live near Hollywood, you'd be shortchanging yourself not to give acting a shot. So Wisely has, and, well, he's learned something about himself -- or rather the reflection he gives off to casting directors.
"I always get booked as the crack dealers and drug addicts," said Wisely, calling from Los Angeles. "I guess I'm doomed."
While not necessarily doomed, Wisely enjoyed limited success as an actor (appearances includes "Six Feet Under"), which may have had an adverse effect on his acting career.
"I'm taking respite from that while I work this record," Wisely said.
"One art form is challenging enough to live for, and there's enough struggle in being an artist where I don't need to struggle in acting and struggle in music. It's too much."
With his focus back on music, Wisely is touring "Parador" -- his first solo project in more than eight years -- with a Midwest swing that brings him to Youngstown on Wednesday at The Royal Oaks.
Not surprisingly, considering his background, "Parador" has a very cinematic approach that not only creates an alluring "bed of sound" but also a vibrancy where "so much is being evoked that it becomes visual at some point," he said.
For tickets to Wednesday's show call (330) 744-5501.