The Wyoming Tribune-Eagle's Fridays on the Plaza hits its peak during Cheyenne Frontier Days.

The offering, of course, goes hand-in-hand with the Daddy of 'em All.

In other words, it is down-home country.

The Ranchhands will bring their Nashville roots here tonight at the Cheyenne Depot Plaza for a free concert.

Chris Tedesco, the band's fiddle and acoustic guitarist brings his Broadway experience to the band.

He hails from upstate New York.

"I played for two years with a Broadway tour with Ann Margaret, 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,'" Tedesco said.

He took part in the show from 2000-2002.

But don't be fooled by Tedesco's New York roots. He's as country as they come.

"I grew up in a rural area and I didn't quite realize that I was listening to country music while I was growing up," Tedesco said. "It never is a geographical thing. Rural is rural sometimes.

"I played in house band in New York City at a club called Denim and Diamonds."

Mickey Kennedy, the lead singer, and Tedesco form the front men of a band that includes Charlie Chamberlain on electric guitar, Jason Pelfrey on bass and Emmett Stallings on drums.

Tedesco said he and Kennedy work in the same fashion as the popular country duo, Brooks and Dunn. The music bears semblance to that legendary group as well as Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney.

When Tedesco was five or six years old, he followed in the footsteps of his brother and sister, who both played the violin.

"I wanted to be like them," Tedesco said. "I did initially learn classical violin. I had great teachers. They were very supportive in having me branch off to other styles of jazz, country and rock -anything."

The fiddle is an out front instrument and more featured than it would be in other groups, Tedesco said of his instrument.

"I can run it through all sorts of effects and distortions," Tedesco said. "It does similar things that a guitar player would use on a guitar I'd use on a fiddle."

Kennedy and Tedesco have performed for four years.

"It has been a full-time thing for three years," Tedesco said. "Our success started in Europe. We had some luck with radio DJs and good promoters."

The Ranchhands tour at least once a year in Europe and they've been to 14 countries so far. Tedesco said Europe is their niche.

"Our last record went number one in France," Tedesco said.

In order to bring a more American flavor, Europeans import beers like Budweiser to the festivals that the Ranchhands have performed at.

"They import corn on the cob in France," Tedesco said. "They grow corn, but it's not as big as our corn."

The Ranchhands performed in Cheyenne about two years ago at the Cowboy South, which is now known as the Outlaw Saloon.

"I remember having a good crowd," Tedesco said. "Our style fits in locally with people who go out and support live country music. We felt the love, so it doesn't surprise me that we came back to Cheyenne - it's fiddle friendly."

Ranchhands

Appearing at the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle's Fridays on the Plaza

When: Tonight, 5:30-8 p.m.

Where: Cheyenne Depot Plaza

More info: Chairs are provided;

no pets; food vendors will sell food, lemonade and soft drinks. Beer will be available with I.D. for those who are 21 and older. Call 633-3145 or go to www.fridaysontheplaza.com.

Online: www.theranchhands.com.