For the past 30 years, Christopher Winkelmann aka Wink, has been entertaining audiences with his music. To see Wink perform is a truly energetic experience. He always jams out with an infectious smile on his face. One can tell he truly enjoys what he’s doing and he refers to spectators as friends, building communion with all who attend his shows.
Wink often opens his sets by cleansing the space with palo santo and audibly invites the crowd along with him on his musical journey. He believes that music is energy and all are welcome to step into the palpable and incredible vibrancy that is created from the moment the first chord is struck. Wink hardly pauses between songs. He allows each one to flow into the next like a river and his sets invoke a continuous, epic poem. It’s always a good time at a Wink Solo show and you can’t help but be drawn in by his jam band/funk/reggae acoustic guitar style and his sharp, unique vocals.
Wink was kind enough to answer some questions about his career in music. The following interview has been slightly edited for length and clarity:
The Jam Files: When we spoke at your last show you mentioned you "wouldn’t be doing this for much longer". What did you mean by that?
Wink: I’ve been playing music out for folks since 1995 as a 20 year old in Cocoa Beach, FL. For 30 years I’ve been able to take a hobby I loved and make it a life I live and love. This being said, it’s time for a break from it for a while with it becoming something of a hobby again. My goal is to retire from the grind and regular gigging starting in 2025. I still plan on playing with Soul Patch and Solo, and nowadays you can catch me 3-6 nights per week. After early 2025, you’ll be able to catch me 3-6 times per year. It’s hard to walk away from something you love, but I’m not truly walking away, just spending more time with my wife, kids and woods, rather than my evenings away.
The Jam Files: You said that a lot of your songs are ones you’ve "picked up along the road". Have you traveled a lot? Where did your musical journey begin?
Wink: My musical journey began in the womb I would imagine. I have been singing and making music for as long as I can recall. Other than always singing, my earliest memories are of when my older sister and brother would have piano lessons in our living room. They would work with the teacher on basic stuff for 30 minutes each or something, and both would have their struggles with their lessons. I would hang around to hear what the teacher was trying to teach them, and after they all left, I would sit at the piano and play it by ear. Sounds just made sense to me, so my journey in music began when I was born or before!
As for travel with music, my first band was a rock band and I played drums and sang a couple songs with them when I was 15 or 16 in Cadillac, MI. Then my next musical job was my first frontman job in a band in Florida in 1995 when I was 20. I moved back to Michigan in 1997 and became engaged to my wife, Tanya. The summer of 1998 I was offered a job as a “roadie” for a steel company out of East LA and I was able to see the biz from that side and met some of my mentors and did things I never thought I’d do. Shortly into 2000 I won some larger karaoke competitions and was asked to join a band in Cadillac called Bodega. I loved it and those doodz bunches! I’m still friends with them all. After a little over a year with them, I needed to balance being a better entertainer and father, so the band went on to great things and I started focusing on my family life and guitar playing. 11 months later, I started playing Solo shows and within 2 months of that, I started Soul Patch in August 2003 and I’ve been doing it ever since! With the 3 bands I’ve been in, in 30 years, and my solo work, I’ve played and independently toured 11 or 12 of our great states. I’ve played to zero folks and thousands and each time we make music together, it’s always amazing!
The Jam Files: I have yet to see Soul Patch perform. Can you tell me a little more about the band?
Wink: Yes, Soul Patch is my full band and they’re the biggest part other than my Solo work. I actually didn’t set out to create a band in 2003 when it formed. I was pretty sure I didn’t want a band anymore and was just doing the solo thing. One day I had a gig cancel literally when I arrived at the venue. Then, on my way home, a buddy called me up and said they had a mini-fest happening and their entertainment fell through. I was all loaded up with my gear anyway and said, ‘I’ll be there in an hour. Let’s do it!’ I arrived to some fellers jamming on the stage. They stopped and I took over, except one feller asked if he could jam with me and I said, ‘Sure, what do you play?’ and he said, ‘Guitar and mandolin.’ I said ‘Sweet, let’s get it!’ We jammed all my material for over 3 hours. It was a hoot! Then after the feller kept pushing me to start a band. I refused for over 2 weeks of phone calls and finally caved and we played our first official gig at Hoxeyville Music Festival in Summer 2003. The band then toured as a duo with several different artists backing us, mainly The Pipe Circus from Madison, WI. They helped mold me into the performer I am and truly helped forge Soul Patch’s sound, which is heavy on the reggae/funk/jam/rock/jam-grass tip, and a wild ride of fun every time! As time went on the band organically gained members and followers, melding into a 5 piece band by New Year’s Eve 2005-06! Three of those same members that started 20 years ago are still doing it with me. We have had a few different soloists/members throughout the last 20 years, but myself, my lead guitarist/banjo player, and my drummer have been at it since then and still plan on going until we can’t anymore! We make wonderful, conscious grooves together and we’re always looking forward to the next time we get to make music. It’s always fun and full of memories!
Soul Patch’s Current Lineup:
Wink - Lead Vox/rhythm guitar
Adam Sleder - Lead guitar/banjo/backing Vox
Marc Alderman - Drums/percussions
Nate Karnes - Keys/backing Vox (since 2017)
Kevin Gills - Bass/backing Vox (since 2021)
Kevin Paul - Lead guitar/backing Vox (2017 & 2024)
The Jam Files: There's a lot of spiritual themes in the lyrics of the songs you play. There's one that talks about "letting the light shine on your third eye". Can you tell me about that song and how you relate to these themes?
Wink: While being able to "tour", weekend-warrior style, I’ve met some amazing musicians along the way. One of my favorites is WookieFoot from Minnesota. Their songs have spoken loudly to and through me since 2003/2004. The song you’re referencing is theirs called "Always Is", and it’s one of my faves for sure. As for lyrics, I’m one that likes to find things that make you think, both inwardly and outwardly. Thought provoking stuff, like the wondering eyes of our youth. Those are the songs I wish to share with the world. Whether it’s one of my own arrangements, someone I’ve met that inspires, someone I look up to, or a legend, I want to give you "the feelz", whatever "feelz" that song is intended to invoke or what I believe it’s intended to invoke.
The Jam Files: I also notice a lot of the songs sound like protest songs or community builders. Can you comment on that? How long have you been in Traverse City and what can you say about being a part of the music scene here?
Wink: Any songs of protest are not written by me, I simply like the messages tucked inside them. Most of those are written by my friend Nahko, from Nahko and Medicine for the People. He is a wordsmith for certain and one of my faves. Also, my friend Malcolm Palmer is also a wordsmith of songs, and I sing a few of his tunes that are deep and I love them. All this being said, I’ve been in TC since 1997 and part of the Michigan music scene since. The NW Mitten is full of amazing places to play, amazing acts to work with, and since 2020, very decent pay for us little old entertainers. I’m so grateful! Michigan is a mountain of a musician-producing state and to be on the list with so many greats is just cool. I’ve seen lots of states and places and I don’t believe I’d rather live anywhere else than where I do, except maybe somewhere in the Upper Peninsula or Beaver Island, which is still the NW Mitt!
The Jam Files: What is your writing process like for your original songs?
Wink: My writing process most of the time "just happens". I know that may seem simple, but that’s what happens, the song. Around 80-90% of my originals literally have fallen out of me. Simply finding a new riff, liking the feel, singing an idea and boom! Most songs are topics or subjects that I’ve got something folks are supposed to hear about. Some have come from little bits of lyrics that I’ve penned and end up putting together too. Overall, writing music just happens for me and I’m grateful for it. I haven’t written much in the past several years, for many reasons, but mostly because I’ve been playing out so much. I’m looking forward to a little slow-down next year and maybe I’ll do some more writing again and put out another studio album.
The Jam Files: Do you only play acoustic guitar or have you played other instruments as well? You also did this cool thing at a gig where you made your mouth sound like a literal trumpet. I was blown away!
Wink: I have the unique ability to play any instrument "mostly okay". Some I’m not very good at because I don’t practice them, but I can play most for sure. This being said, I am always impressed by those masters of their crafts.
As for my "mouth trumpet" (laughs), I learned how to do that in 4th grade by one of my biggest musical influences and life teachers, Frank Youngman!
The Jam Files: I picked up on a Sublime reference in one of the songs you played. Are you influenced by them or by Bradley Nowell? Do you have any other musical influences or inspirations?
Wink: Yes, I’m a huge Sublime fan! I prefer the original members and the original lineup for sure, but they all have their own space on the big ball we are on! Some of my other influences would be Dave Matthews, Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, the Doobie Brothers, Metallica, Run DMC, LL Cool J, Snoop and Dre, and so many more of the greats have reached me on a musical level and I’m so thankful for it. Modern influences would be good folks like Trevor Hall, Mike Love, WookieFoot, SOJA and lots and lots more too.
The Jam Files: Who are you currently jamming out to?
Wink: If I’m wanting to sing along, Dirty Heads, Trevor Hall, or SOJA. If I want to just listen and move, Lettuce, Galactic, Dirtwire, and Consider The Source. If I’m hanging in my living room, I listen to ambient frequencies.
The Jam Files: What does music mean for you personally? Everyone feels touched by some aspect of music, whether its lyrics, melodies, etc. How does music move you?
Wink: Music is life! Not just to me, but to Earth! I am touched by it all. Doesn’t matter the music, if they are doing something that I can’t and making it seem simple, I’m in! Hook me up and let’s go! I love being mind-blown by other musicians and love to reach for new goals when I see someone doing something I can’t at my chosen profession. It’s driving and helps keep the music ever-changing!
Be sure to Follow Wink on Facebook and Instagram and check out Soul Patch at soulpatchtc.com!
Jennifer Patino lives in Traverse City and loves music. Visit her blog at thistlethoughts.com