Displaying items by tag: youth

Sammy Brue embodies the kind of wisdom, talent and natural empathy that are often signs of age and maturity, and yet at 15 years old, he can place himself in the shoes of others, real or fictionalized, and write stories about them. "He's a student of East Nashville, not Greenwich Village, budding from this new folk resurgence in fascinating ways." ~ Rolling Stone Country

The Ogden, UT based songwriter has been writing songs since the age of 10. He signed to New West Records at 14 and now, with his debut album in hand, Sammy takes the next step forward. The forthcoming album, titled I Am Nice, produced by Ben Tanner (Alabama Shakes) and John Paul White (former Civil Wars) will be released early summer of 2017. Recorded in Florence, Al, they created a brilliant album with nuanced dimension that provides emotional resonance to Brue's songs which Rolling Stone described as “a collection of devastatingly beautiful songs that touch on heartbreak, jealousy, God and Suicide;” and further declared Brue as “An Americana prodigy."

Though Sammy may appear quiet and unassuming, his songs speak volumes. From busking at Sundance at the age of 10, to opening for Justin Townes Earle, John Paul White, Lucinda Williams and John Moreland to mention a few, and performing at Summerfest, and the Newport Folk Festival, you will be hearing a lot about Sammy Brue as he stands on the precipice of what appears to be a long and ever-evolving creative journey.

Sugar and the Mint (Formerly Generation Band) was started by The Sharlot Hall Museum in Prescott, Arizona in February 2011. Students were chosen by audition and initially it was formed as a youth cultural music conservatory. In 2014, Sugar and the Mint (Generation) parted ways with Sharlot Hall Museum, (after the program lost funding) and ventured out on its own. They have since become a professional and dynamic young musical group. They play a blend of new old-time, contemporary bluegrass and indie-folk music. They have performed at venues and events such as the The Prescott Opry, Yavapai College, The Yavapai County Fair, Payson Fiddle Festival, The Raven Cafe, Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, Tempe Festival of the Arts, Prescott Farmer’s Market, Wickenburg Bluegrass Festival, Pickin’ in the Pines Bluegrass Festival, Prescott’s Folk Music Festival, Town of Bagdad, AZ, Arts Prescott Coop Gallery, Acker Night Musical Showcase and many others. They can often be seen playing informally at Prescott's Courthouse Square during various Arts and Crafts Fairs.

In 2014, they won FIRST PLACE at the Payson Fiddle-in-Band competition and FIRST PLACE at The Old-time Country Band competition at the Wickenburg Fiddle championships. In 2015, they took THIRD PLACE at Pickin’ in the Pines Bluegrass Festival and were honored to play in the second round on the main stage. In 2016, Sugar and the Mint (at that time GENERATION) took FIRST PLACE at the 2016 Pickin' in the Pines Music Festival in Flagstaff, and FIRST PLACE at the 2016 Wickenburg Bluegrass Festival Gospel Band Competition, in Wickenburg, Arizona.

They are frequently employed to play music at festivals, private parties, weddings, fund raising events, local school events, local eateries, art galleries, and church events.

Bluegrass music and its branches hold a special appeal for those who have grown up playing, jamming, and performing around the state. Under the management and vision of Francisco Briseno, Cisco & The Racecars has grown to be a serious and exciting group to see and hear.

The band finished first place in the Picking in the Pines Band Contest for 2014 and with that win had conquered all four bluegrass band contests in Arizona. And they recently were featured as the concert band for the State Fiddle Championship Festival in Payson. A highlight of that adventure was to open for Special Consensus and then to share the stage with that wonderful band for "Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms". Although their roots are bluegrass and they remain true to that tradition, they are also able to play popular, country, and old-time music.

This young band is exciting to watch with the full range of instruments including banjo, guitar, mandolin, bass, fiddle, and cello and super vocals by all members. They love what they're doing and they are committed to making their listeners happy with their music. They are best friends as a band and enjoy traveling, jamming, eating, and talking together. They also serve as mentors to the young members of the Jam Pak Blues 'N' Grass Neighborhood Band.

Facing West is a Northern Utah band made up of young musicians ranging in ages from 12 to 17. Their musical style is primarily rooted in Bluegrass but spans many different genres including Celtic, Old-Time Appalachia, as well as Country, and includes influences from today’s pop and modern music styles. The bands unique musical talents shine through as they fiddle, strum, and pick their way through old Bluegrass classics as well as tunes you’ll recognize from some of today’s popular musicians. Their youthful energy combined with their love for performing on the live stage is sure to entertain audiences of all ages!

Flint & Steel Bluegrass: A Utah based group of amazingly talented thirteen year old musicians playing an assortment of bluegrass, country, jazz and pop music. Since organizing in December of 2012, this young group has delighted audiences throughout Utah, playing at the Ogden Music Festival and the Old Capital Arts Festival in Fillmore, among others. They have opened for Silver Creek, The Bar“D” Wranglers, Trotta & Ronstadt and Ryan Shupe And The Rubberband. These kids are becoming the rising stars in Utah's acoustic scene, so check them out and hire them, YOU CAN'T GO WRONG!

Sammy Brue is a 13 year old folk singer from the Portland Oregon area. In 2011 after he and his family moved to Utah, his father bought him a guitar so the reclusive preteen had something to do while passing the time. Wanting to play songs by the late Woody Guthrie and acts like Bob Dylan he started learning chords to emulate these great musicians. Within 2 months he wrote his first song “The Woody Guthrie Song” and from that day forward the 10 year old didn't look back.  Now at the age of 13, Sammy Brue has a couple of albums worth of original songs under his belt and has opened for acts like Joe Fletcher, Lukas Nelson, Asleep at the Wheel, Lydia Loveless, John Moreland, and Hayes Carll. He finds inspiration in the Folk/Americana genre of music and has made some great friends in its community. As a one man band, this young Troubadour has made friends all over the country and especially the Northwest where he travels around to play.

Featured in the youth-produced, directed and edited documentary "Generation Bluegrass" (2012), OFOAM is thrilled to present the Snyder Family Band on the Ogden Music Festival stage!

Releasing their first album with the Mountain Home Music label in March this year, the Snyder Family Band hails from Lexington, NC, and features 16 year old Samantha on fiddle and 19 year old Zeb on guitar. They are joined by their father Bud on upright bass. Their mother Laine often joins them on stage to sing three part harmony. Nine year old Owen makes occasional stage appearances singing and entertaining the crowd.