The Why Store has been labeled a “hippie” band, but that label only serves the purposes of those trying to describe the band.

Chris Shaffer, lead vocalist for the band has his own theory aboutthe label. It must be his long hair.

Other than that, The Why Store is really beyond labeling. They are a Midwestern band that has broken free.

The Why Store, from Indianapolis, seems to be singing in a kind of musical promised land.

They have a mailing list 7,500 people strong, average a crowd of about 1,000 people for their shows, have signed on with major label MCA and they just made their first video.

When describing his band, Shaffer didn’t have anything too complicated or philosophical to say.

“The Why Store is a band that plays good songs. We try to make people feel good,” he said.

The Why Store must be making someone feel good, because they have cultivated a group of fans called Whomheads.

The Whomheads follow the band around, have formed a fan club and are always right in front of the stage dancing the night away.

Making the music feels so good, that it’s like some sort of happy drug, Shaffer said.

Life might be rough before the show, but when they all get up on stage everything is good again.

The Why Store considers its live music its lifeblood and takes pride in it.

Shaffer said he imagines the band will be on the road forever, which is another good thing considering he believes traveling is his destiny.

All that traveling got easier ever since they signed on with MCA over a year ago. Now they get to watch the country roll by from the windows of a tour bus instead of their old van.

Apparently, MCA didn’t provide the Why Store with someone to iron their clothes before shows, because Shaffer describes himself as the “wrinkle king,” a distinction that doesn’t bother him much.

That tour bus will be pulling into Ames tonight for a show at People’s Bar and Grill and the Why Store will be spreading the word.

Shaffer took a while to come around to the whole music thing. He now considers his current position a “dream come true” for a little boy who used to play air guitar on his tennis racquet.

It wasn’t until late in college that he decided to give up athletics and “serve one master.” Lucky for him, he chose a master that puts food on the table. The Why Store is definitely no longer a bunch of starving artists.

The little kid with the pretend guitar certainly will feel all grown up this weekend when the Why Store’s first video, “Father”, will debut on VH1’s “Crossroads.”

Tough luck for everyone who thought they could buy a ticket at the door.

Tickets for The Why Store and Mango Jam have been sold out since early this week. You’ll just have to go somewhere else to feel good.

Doors open at 9:30 p.m. and all ticket holding, ID carrying people are invited to listen to the music of two Midwestern greats.