Where is he now: Eudora ‘American Idol’ contestant continues to play

Eudora native Wolf Hamlin has been all over since he put his Kansas hometown on the map after his appearance on "American Idol."

BY CAMI KOONS

In 2012, Wolf Hamlin was “sent to Hollywood” on the music-television show, “American Idol.” Since his television debut, Hamlin has started a band, toured the globe and found a home in Livermore, California. Music has never stopped being a key element of Hamlin’s life.

Nearly a decade after the 2005 Eudora High School graduate put the city on the map, The Eudora Times asked: Where are you now?

Hamlin said his band, Wolf Hamlin and the Front Porch Drifters, was booked regularly for about eight years after his “American Idol” audition. All of the members of the band held full-time jobs yet found a way to perform a few times a week. The group toured the nation, even playing across Europe before deciding to settle down.

He said the band reached a point where they had to decide if they wanted to dedicate everything to being traveling musicians, or to keep their jobs and perform for fun when they could.

“We just kept it fun and enjoyed it,” Hamlin said. “We’re still able to play amazing shows and have amazing times with people.”

Almost 10 years after his "American Idol" appearance, music has never stopped being part of Hamlin's life.

The pleasure and human connection of being a musician is a Hamlin family trait. Hamlin’s sister, Hannah Anderson, who still lives in Lawrence, said music has always been in their family and brings them together, regardless of the miles of separation.

“[Music] is just kind of in our bones,” Anderson said. “It was always the thing that kept us together.”

Hamlin still uses the same guitar or “gitfiddle” he brought to his “American Idol” audition, that his father, Scot Hamlin, built. Anderson said aside from their father’s influence, pretty much everyone in the family has interest in playing an instrument, singing or whistling a tune.

Anderson herself plays a Hamlin-made guitar and sings, though she says she never wanted the spotlight -- that was for Wolf. The proud older sister said she and the family weren’t surprised when Hamlin decided to audition for “American Idol.”

“He has such a big personality so I think it was kind of a natural step for him,” Anderson said.

Anderson said still today people will bring up her brother’s short time on TV with pride, and those who knew him growing up are always excited when he comes home. Anderson said regardless of his television fame, people knew who Wolf Hamlin was because of his personality.

“He has an aura about him that people pay attention to,” Anderson said.

Currently, Hamlin is in charge of the mechanical division for Wente Vineyards, but still writes, records and performs with his band, or at least he did under normal circumstances. Hamlin said with the coronavirus pandemic, the band hasn’t been able to perform, and Zoom jam sessions have been difficult.

Nevertheless, Hamlin said this time has been great for writing music and, as soon as it is safe again, the band plans to record another album.

“When it’s all said and done, we’ll be right back hitting it hard again, ready to play and ready to enjoy the camaraderie from the fans and everybody in the crowd,” Hamlin said.

Because of the pandemic, Hamlin said he hasn’t been able to come back to Eudora for a while, but he looks forward to visiting when it is safe again to travel.

His message to Eudora: “I just hope everybody is well, and happy and living life to the fullest in the moment with the current circumstances we’re living in right now.”

You can check out Wolf Hamlin and the Front Porch Drifters’ most recent album “Hell on Wheels” wherever you listen to music.

Is there a Eudora native you want to know “Where are you now?” Let us know!

Reach reporter Cami Koons at eudoratimes@gmail.com.

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