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.

“Young bluesmen take up the torch for a musical tradition...the crop of younger black blues musicians who can take the tradition and transform it with their own identity is relatively slim...emerging up-and-comers include...The Peterson Brothers of Austin.” – The Washington Post

For the past five years, since Freeman saw their debut performance at the Pinetop Perkins 97th Birthday Celebration at Antone’s in Austin, Texas, The Peterson Brothers have performed for enthusiastic fans at clubs and blues festivals across the country, including the prestigious Chicago Blues Festival and The King Biscuit Festival in Helena, Ark. They have also opened shows for B.B. King, Los Lonely Boys, Michael Burks, Pinetop Perkins & Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Marcia Ball, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Buddy Guy invited them to share the stage with him during one of his shows at ACL Live at the Moody Theater in Austin and Willie Nelson had them open his show, the brothers being the only nonrelated act on the bill.

Now The Peterson Brothers are releasing their first studio recording. Each cut on this record has its own identity, feel and energy, opening with a strong version of Albert King’s “You’re My Woman,” and on to a Little Johnny Taylor composition, “If You Love Me Like You Say.” Glenn and Alex then provide us with a light swing song of their own, “Hey Baby.” Their version of “I Wouldn’t Treat A Dog (The Way You Treated Me),” well known from covers by Bobby Blue Bland and Bernard Allison lead into Tampa Red’s “Don’t You Lie To Me.” Two more originals “I Gotta Go” and “Tell Me Everything” follow, paving the way for a lively version of Earl King’s “Come On,” an instrumental original “Feeling Like Home” and a sensitive arrangement of “Amazing Grace.” The record closes with a swing version of “I Gotta Go.” The entire work takes us on a very personal journey for these two young artists.

“Bastrop blues siblings got their mojo workin’... as long as youngsters like the Petersons keep the flame burning, the genre will never die.” – The Austin Chronicle

Glenn and Alex live near Austin, in Bastrop, Texas the sons of supportive parents Glenn Sr. and Deanna Peterson. There they live as any normal teenagers would, going to school where they consistently receive high grades, play in the school band and do volunteer work. Every other waking hour is spent playing their instruments and working towards their dream. “Music for us is like soccer or football for someone else,” Glenn explained. “We just love what we do and this is our life.”

Glenn, 19 years old, plays guitar and sings lead, delivering the blues with a heavy influence of funk in his rhythm guitar playing. Through a smooth, jazz-influenced style he combines a traditional blues approach to his leads reaching inspiration from blues greats BB King, Albert King and Freddie King, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Hubert Sumlin, T-Bone Walker and Lightnin’ Hopkins and borrowing from contemporary players like Robert Cray, Michael Burks, Ernie Isley, Eddie Hazel and jazz icons Wes Montgomery and Kenny Burrell.

Alex, 17 years old, plays 5-string bass, violin and sings. He holds down their sound with supportive bass lines then breaks out with distinctive melodic riffs, often with a funk and jazz style that transcends his young age. Like his brother, he has a wealth of knowledge about his instrument and the musicians who have influenced him. They include Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, Jacob Pastorius, Larry Graham, Bootsy Collins, Ron Carter, Ray Brown, Quintin Berry, Louis Johnson, Adam Blackstone, Stanley Clarke, Rocco Prestia Bob Stroger, and James Jamerson.

Together the brothers discovered the likes of B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf and Stevie Ray Vaughan at an early age around the house. The bond between the brothers is apparent. “It comes naturally to us,” says Glenn. “We just seem to know and feel what the other is thinking instinctively.”

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.