Realizing our Musical Heritage
The Kids on Bluegrass Program is a California Bluegrass Association activity that provides children between the ages of 3 to 18, the opportunity to join together at festivals to learn the various aspects and techniques of becoming a band and then performing on stage in front of a live audience.
At the CBA Father's Day Festival in Grass Valley, (as well as several other festivals throughout the year), kids from all over the camp come to the KOB area where they will meet the director of this program, Frank Solivan, Sr. The kids come prepared to audition by:
- Playing or singing at least one song.
- Have a fairly good understanding of their instrument
- Play backup chords to support other players
- Be willing to commit to rehearsals
- Should have good timing
The kids are also encouraged to practice throughout the year in preparation for this time. Rehearsals take place over a two or three day period with two to three rehearsals per day. At first rehearsal, a list of possible songs is developed that can showcase as many kids as possible, while also finding kids that can play backup. The important thing here is that everybody in the group is involved. Many different things are worked on such as listening to each other, timing, connecting with your audience, moving on and off stage, using the mic and so much more.
The Kids on Bluegrass program began in approximately 1990 with the belief of one very gifted musician, Frank Solivan, II, who believed there should be a place on stage where kids could perform the Bluegrass, Old Time and Gospel music that they had grown up playing with their families. He approached his dad with this idea and then the California Bluegrass Association and finally the first Kids on Bluegrass show (also referred to as Kids on Stage) had its place on the main stage at the Fathers Day Festival in Grass Valley, Calif.
Every year since then, the Kids on Bluegrass show has grown under the tutelage of the young musicians’ father, Frank Solivan, Sr. Kids work hard to perform and delight their audience with their music. Each year the popularity of this show grows and the talent of these young musicians amazes everyone. Where once only the relatives and friends were in the audience, now the audience is filled to capacity. And programs like this, with other dedicated leaders, are spreading throughout other Bluegrass Associations.
Today, people everywhere are recognizing that kids are an extremely important link for the preservation of Bluegrass, Old Time and Gospel music. And like the young musician that pushed so hard for a place for him and his friends to perform, we now have numerous former Kids on Bluegrass playing successfully in bands throughout the country.
Kids on Bluegrass is a big part of the future of this music.
With the dedication of all the parents and volunteers who give their time
to help work with
and promote these kids
and with the wisdom of groups like the California Bluegrass Association
to provide them with a place to perform,
Bluegrass, Old Time and Gospel music will live forever.