BY SUSAN SCAFFIDI, Contributing writer Wednesday, Jan 20 2010 05:15 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Jan 20 2010 05:15 PM
For many people, "bluegrass music" means the theme to "The Beverly Hillbillies," the soundtrack to "Bonnie and Clyde" and the banjo-guitar duel in "Deliverance." But bluegrass music is catching on with a wider -- and younger -- audience, as evidenced by an increasing number of bluegrass concerts hitting the Kern County market.
The organizer of a recent 48-hour bluegrass jam session at the DoubleTree Hotel said the event drew more than 300 "pickers" from all over the state, including a lot of youngsters who have caught onto the music.
"We had several (performers) up from the age of 9 through the teen years," said promoter Gary Young. "They were just phenomenal."
The International Bluegrass Music Association also cites the triple-platinum sales of the soundtrack to "O Brother, Where Art Thou" as increasing performer and audience interest in the music. Young also credits the touring efforts of established performers such as Ricky Skaggs, along with a new generation of players.
"There are some younger groups that are bringing the music back alive on college campuses," Young said.
"And it's paying off. We're seeing a lot more people playing the music and staying with the music."
A veteran of the mission to spread the bluegrass gospel is Greg Cahill, founder of the band Special Consensus, which will headline Young's next concert on Monday. Cahill, who started his band in 1975, estimates he has performed bluegrass music for a million schoolchildren around the United States.
"The whole purpose is to introduce young people to the music," Cahill said. "We introduce them to the music, the harmony the instruments." Read more...
Last Updated Wednesday, Jan 20 2010 05:15 PM
For many people, "bluegrass music" means the theme to "The Beverly Hillbillies," the soundtrack to "Bonnie and Clyde" and the banjo-guitar duel in "Deliverance." But bluegrass music is catching on with a wider -- and younger -- audience, as evidenced by an increasing number of bluegrass concerts hitting the Kern County market.
The organizer of a recent 48-hour bluegrass jam session at the DoubleTree Hotel said the event drew more than 300 "pickers" from all over the state, including a lot of youngsters who have caught onto the music.
"We had several (performers) up from the age of 9 through the teen years," said promoter Gary Young. "They were just phenomenal."
The International Bluegrass Music Association also cites the triple-platinum sales of the soundtrack to "O Brother, Where Art Thou" as increasing performer and audience interest in the music. Young also credits the touring efforts of established performers such as Ricky Skaggs, along with a new generation of players.
"There are some younger groups that are bringing the music back alive on college campuses," Young said.
"And it's paying off. We're seeing a lot more people playing the music and staying with the music."
A veteran of the mission to spread the bluegrass gospel is Greg Cahill, founder of the band Special Consensus, which will headline Young's next concert on Monday. Cahill, who started his band in 1975, estimates he has performed bluegrass music for a million schoolchildren around the United States.
"The whole purpose is to introduce young people to the music," Cahill said. "We introduce them to the music, the harmony the instruments." Read more...
No comments:
Post a Comment