Those Fiddlin' Kids!

Talent, as is well documented, starts young.  It is born in the person God gifts with it, but it also takes a lot of work to refine and develop it into something that really stands out.  Talented kids are particularly something that deserves appreciation, as a truly talented young person will make an impact on his or her audience.  The problem today is that a lot of fluff and idiocy (Justin Bieber comes to mind here - sorry to the Bierberites out there, but the truth hurts!) gets passed off as talent, and indeed a lot of marketing and image-making goes into creating many of the no-talent hacks that are out there, but it still isn't true talent.  However, thankfully, there are young people out there who really shine, and although they will never make millions like Bieber or some of those fly-by-nights do, their talent is creating a legacy.  In recent years I have encountered several of these remarkable young people, and they are the ones I want to talk about today.

The young talented (and real) artist does happen, and in the past we have been blessed with kids such as the cherubic-sounding Charlotte Church (her recording of the "Ave Maria" she cut at the early age of 12 still sends shivers up my spine!), the multi-talented Blaise Garza (he tackled - and did so masterfully - the once-obscure contrabass saxophone in his teens), and kindergarten crooner Blake Ewing, who was discovered on Ed McMahon's old Star Search  program back in the 1990's (he also did a tremendous job playing rich kid Waldo in the movie version of The Little Rascals).  All of them are now adults, and they still have careers although not as well-known as they once were, and all of them are still blessed with tremendous talent.  The ones I want to discuss now are not quite as famous as these are, but they are still talent that deserves to be appreciated.  So, let us begin!

The first two I want to talk about are the Piatrowski Sisters, Andrea and Erika, who both are accomplished fiddlers with their family's band, Pan Franek and the Polka Towners.  These girls have been performing from an early age, and the first I remembered hearing them was when they made a guest appearance on Jimmy Sturr's program on RFD back in 2007.   These girls are not only talented fiddlers, but are also gifted in showmanship, even giving Sturr's fiddler, Frank Urbanovich, a run for his money on the show.  The girls are now adults themselves, but as far as I can reckon they still tour with the family band, which is based out of Michigan.   If you get the chance to listen to them, please do - you will not be disappointed!

Andrea and Erika Piatrowski, and their equally talented sister Christina, at a polka festival performing.

 

 

The second family of talented young ladies are a little different in style, as they play vintage Western Swing and do it well. I heard the Quebe Sisters and their band on "Larry's Country Diner" a couple of months back, and almost immediately bought their CD's because they sounded phenomenal - their rendition of "Across the Alley From the Alamo" is one of the best I have heard actually!  The Quebes - Grace, Sophia, and Hulda - are native Texans all still in their teens, and they like many young talents developed at a young age, due in large part to a supportive family.  These gals actually have a website (www.quebesistersband.com) and they have two very excellent CD's available that I would urge anyone who loves big bands, Western Swing, or more traditional country music to give a fair listen to.  I am also encouraging Larry Black to have them back sometime on his show too!

 

 

The Quebes - Grace, Sophia, and Hulda

 

 

The third group is from a different genre altogether - Southern Gospel.  Back in January, we attended the winter crusade that the Lake Gibson Church of the Nazarene conducts here in Lakeland every year, and in addition to the evangelist (an anointed and powerful Methodist bishop from Alabama, Dr. Kip Laxson), the pastor, Rev. Charles Kirby, brings in a well-known gospel group.  In past years it has been the Pfeifers (probably my all-time favorite Gospel artists, hands-down!), but understandably due to scheduling, Pastor Kirby brought in a group I had never heard before from Iowa called the Browns.   The consist of two talented young brothers, Andrew and Adam, and their beautiful sister Michaela.  Their mom, a sweet lady named Shelly, rounds out the group while their dad handles their technical support.   One thing struck me about this family - Shelly lets her kids shine, and although she sings with the group, her kids are the stars of the show and I believe she wants it that way because she is a proud mama (and a good one, as she has raised three talented and well-mannered young people).  However, lest you get the impression that these kids are all about singing songs, it turns out they are also talented musicians - all three play violin, and Michaela has recorded an excellent solo album recently.  When they were at the crusade, they played a beautiful rendition of the song "Let There Be Peace on Earth," and they also played some classic hymns of the Church that many of us Catholics and Anglicans are familiar with too.  They likewise have a website with several recordings available (I understand they were also awarded Top 10 Mixed Gospel Group of the Year for two consecutive years, which in itself is quite an honor), and the URL for that is www.brownsmusic.com.  The site says they currently have 10 recordings available, and there is indeed something for everyone.

 

 

The Browns - Adam, Andrew, Michaela and mom Shelly

 

I final young talent I want to mention is a young French Canadian guitarist I came across back in 2009 who is a Gypsy jazz virtuoso.  At the time, he was 13 (he is now almost 18 if I calculated right) and when I heard him, it was as if the spirit of Django Reinhardt had resurrected itself - this kid has one of the most phenomenal Gypsy guitar techniques I have ever had the blessing of hearing, and although he hasn't gotten it on disc yet, I actually have corresponded with him and encouraged him to do so.  Quinn Bachand is definitely someone that classic jazz afficianados should pay attention to, as we may be hearing more of him in the future. At present, he is doing some tours with his older sister Christine, and has also forayed into Celtic folk music as well.  Although I would prefer personally he stick with Gypsy jazz, Quinn is going to do great at whatever genre he settles on. 

 

Young guitar prodigy and Gypsy jazz master Quinn Bachand

 

There are many more of these young shining stars I could mention, but these are some I have encountered personally that really impacted me with their wonderful talents.  Many of their recordings are in my own library, and I count it an honor to have them.  So, for us old-timers, be assured that the extent of today's talent doesn't stop (or even start!) with punks like Justin Bieber - the kids I just talked about are the real stars, and I will support their careers any day.  Any rate, so long until next visit, and happy listening.  For you parents, encourage your kids to explore music and maybe learning an instrument for themselves if they develop an interest; who knows - someone like me may be writing about them someday too!