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Written by Vince Tropea
(Lander, WY) – Back in April of 2025, an idea for a sober, alcohol/drug-free performance space came to fruition for Lander resident Ben Wood (thanks to an assist from the LOR Foundation), and The Wayfarer officially opened its doors.
Since that time, The Wayfarer, located at 592 Main Street, Studio G, has hosted a number of musicians, both local and touring, and the spot has become a hub for local artists of all kinds, a true community “third space,” as Wood calls it, where people can gather around art, music, and creativity, without alcohol being the primary focus.
Wood grew up in Richmond, Virginia, and has been a Lander resident for the past two years after moving here from San Diego.
“Music’s always been a part of my life,” Wood shared, explaining that he grew up in a musical household with siblings who played the violin and piano, which Wood says he “banged around” on until later learning to properly play the instrument. Additionally, he would listen to “oldies radio” with his grandma (namely, early soul and R&B), and he got his first taste of live performance at his church. Johnny Cash and The Beatles were two big musical influences during those formative years.
“I was playing guitar and bass in a church group, so that was kind of my first time getting up there,” Wood explained. “But yeah, I’ve always loved folk music. … All genres inspire me. I’ve learned to love music of all types.”
Wood went on to play in a few different bands, ranging from folk to punk rock, and now focuses on solo recording. He plays mostly guitar, but is also proficient in bass, harmonica, and piano. When Wood spoke with County 10, he shared that he was in the finishing stages of production on a new full-length album.
After ending up in Lander, Wood set up what would become The Wayfarer with the initial intention of it just being a place for him and a few fellow musicians to practice, but it soon morphed into a recording space and, ultimately, a performance venue in addition to all of the above.
Wood cited help from Matthew Mello, Sam Poitras, Tara German, and his partner, Naomi Lalonde, especially during the early stages when they were just “throwing ideas” around.
One of those ideas was to hold regular meetings/discussions for folks who wanted to connect with other like-minded, sober individuals and share their stories.
Wood explained that he had his own struggles with substance misuse and opioid addiction in the past, and truly felt that making the venue a sober one would be something that the Lander community could really benefit from.
“I hit rock bottom by the ocean,” Wood lamented. “I needed to restart.”
“I always say to people the fact of it being a sober space I’m not trying to force sobriety on anybody,” Wood explained. “I just think it’s nice to understand that music doesn’t have to always be drug and alcohol fueled.”
Enter the LOR Foundation, which basically functions as a travelling “start-up accelerator for community-driven ideas” and has been in the Lander community for the last few years. The LOR Foundation jumped at the idea of supporting a sober performance space, and soon provided a $10,000 grant to help pay for artists to perform at the venue.
Since receiving that funding, The Wayfarer has hosted touring acts such as Jason Dea West and the Siskiyou Crest, Reckless Rooster, and the Montvales, as well as local musicians like Raine Lesher, Adam Kirkpatrick, and Tom Brady. Wood said the folks at Fremont Music have also been instrumental (pun fully intended) in helping with all of the sound equipment.
“It’s pretty amazing because everybody I’ve reached out to wants to support this idea,” Wood shared. “I would say almost half the people that have played here have been sober themselves and some I didn’t even know.”
One of the most recent shows featured local musicians Raine Lesher and Jena Spriggs, as well as an artist showcase with Anatolya Skinner, Winona Aaron, Claire Lebeau, and Aiyana Perez, whose art adorned the walls. Wood said the biggest show they’ve had to date featured local act Pigasus and Puddle Jumping from Cody.
The shows continue tomorrow night, Sunday, December 28, with local acts Buffalo Bill Boycott & Dr. Jo, and Candice Frude.
Wood is currently planning beyond the first year of grant support, and booking events into January and February — with open mic nights filling in gaps when a show isn’t scheduled.
Open mics, he said, have grown from just a few friends swapping songs to nights that bring in nearly ten performers at once — including spoken word, classical instruments, and more.
“That’s everything,” Wood said. “I really push for any variety.”
Musicians looking to record can also use the space, Wood added, noting that local act Big Bob in the Sky recently recorded at The Wayfarer.
To reach out and stay up-to-date on all things Wayfarer, check out their Instagram and Facebook pages.