Young Folk Musicians in Seattle

Subject: Young Folk Musicians in Seattle
From: Stewart
Date: 14 Jan 10 - 05:39 PM

There are many threads here talking about the dearth of young folk musicians

Well, that's not the case in Seattle
Last Friday the Pacific Northwest Folklore Society had their monthly Coffeehouse Concert with

The Smalltime String Band - a local family old-time band with
Dad on fiddle, Mom on guitar, Oliver (age 12) on fiddle,and Eli (age 7) on banjo
Here are some videos of their performance

and Squirrel Butter - a local old-time duo (Charlie Beck and Charmaine Slaven),
who make up half of the old-time band The Tall Boys
The Tall Boys play for twice-monthly square dances (with lots of young folks)
And Charmaine hosts a weekly old-time jam and teaches clogging.
Here are videos of their performance

It was a great concert to a standing-room-only audience.
So folk music is alive and well in Seattle

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Young Folk Musicians in Seattle
From: Stewart
Date: 14 Jan 10 - 07:20 PM

And here's a review of the concert...

Concert Review by Jim Portillo

Tonight, I attended one of the coolest concerts I've seen in a long time. It was an Oldtime music concert featuring two acts, "Squirrel Butter" and "The Smalltime Family String Band."

Squirrel Butter is the duo made up of Charlie Beck and Charmaine Slaven. Charlie plays banjo, fiddle, and guitar. Charmaine is amazing in that she plays guitar and is a fabulous clog dancer. At times, she clogs, plays her guitar, and sings all at the same time! Amazing! Hmmm, didn't John Hartford sing, dance, and play his instrument at the same time as well? Their voices complement one another very well. They do Carter Family songs, country songs, Oldtime standards, and cool instrumentals. I think Charlie also plays a few songs done in the jug band style. I really need to jam with those guys some more!
The family act was special. They, especially the two kids, will go far! They are made up of parents Danny (fiddle player) and Terry (guitar player) and sons, Oliver (fiddle player) and Eli (Banjo player). They are examples of why it is so important to encourage and nurture kids in their musical growth.

Oliver couldn't be more than eleven years old. In many ways, he fronts or is the spokesman for the group. I love how he speaks eloquently as he introduces the various songs the band will play. He tells jokes…corny but funny and gets the reactions he seeks. I think he does much of the lead fiddle playing. He is also the lead singer for most of the songs.

Eli is something else!! He's a ball of fire! When I heard him playing the banjo with such speed and talent, I couldn't believe I was listening to a seven-year-old! Amazing! Eli also sings songs and helps his brother with some jokes. Both kids do a great version of "Arkansas Traveler", including jokes.

I felt a great sense of pride listening to those kids play. I love the fact that young kids are being exposed to folk, Oldtime, Bluegrass, and similar types of music. Furthermore, I'm thrilled they're playing and singing it! Do you know how exciting it was to hear them do the Woody Guthrie song, "I Ain't Got No Home?" How many kids these days do you know that know who Woody Guthrie is? I remember being thought of as weird when I was that age because I knew some of Woody's songs. These kids play and sing them proudly! In fact, Oliver said it was one of his favorites! Good goin'!

Other songs they did included: "Old Joe Clark", "Cripple Creek", "Cindy", "Liberty", and several other fiddle tunes and oldtime standards.

I'm also proud of the parents for having a big influence on these boys. From what I hear, they all take lessons and practice together to make the band sound as good as it does. I was told that this family is also in charge of the monthly family square dances. Guess who the house band is for these events?? Good for them!

I'm glad I attended this concert. What a great way to end a great week!

Let's all learn from Oliver and Eli and keep the music alive and vibrant!


Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Young Folk Musicians in Seattle
From: Folkiedave
Date: 14 Jan 10 - 07:41 PM

Can't move for young folk musicians in the British Isles. Many of them outstanding talent and some are really moving the music forward as well.

At what age do they become "old"?

:-)

Subject: RE: Young Folk Musicians in Seattle
From: Deckman
Date: 14 Jan 10 - 08:00 PM

You know Stew ... I was completly blown away. First up came 7 year old "Eli", with a banjo neck that was longer than he was tall ... and that little crumb cruncher could frail away with the best of them ... certainly better than ever I could. Then along comes his 11 year old brother, who took charge of the stage. He did all the announcments, did all the "straights lines" to Arkansaw Traveler ... without missing a beat.

Dad was kept busy tunning all the instruments, 4 fiddles, one banjo, one guitar, as ai recall. And mom was trying to keep the two sons on track with the program.

WHAT AN ABSOLUTE DELIGHT! Bob(deckman)Nelson

Subject: RE: Young Folk Musicians in Seattle
From: Leadfingers
Date: 14 Jan 10 - 08:59 PM

Bloody Smart Uppity Kids !! Mutter Mutter Mutter !!    LOL

Subject: RE: Young Folk Musicians in Seattle
From: Stewart
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 07:01 PM

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