[ATTENDED: October 21, 2012] Trout Fishing in America
Trout Fishing in America is (primarily) a children’s band. They are a duo comprised of Ezra Idlet (who plays the guitar and is six-foot nine inches tall) and Keith Grimwood (who plays bass and is five foot five inches tall). When I first encountered them, Ezra had very long hair–although he no longer does. They are quite a sight onstage (and they play up this height difference a lot).
Trout Fishing is, I assume, a rather successful band. They have been around since 1979! Their first big family friendly record came out in 1991. Amazingly, given their longevity, they are not opposed to playing small venues. Two years ago, they played my son’s elementary school. Which was a hoot.
They came back through the area again and this time they played RVCC. I’ve said before that RVCC gets some pretty major acts, but I’m not sure exactly what went on with this show. They played at 1PM and 3:30PM and rather than perform to the audience in the normal theater seats, they let the (much smaller) audience sit on stage with them.
They erected a small stage–big enough for the two of them and their minimal gear. The audience chairs were arranged around them in three section and my family got front row seats, approximately ten feet from the mini stage. It was wonderful. Since it was the day after T.’s birthday when Keith asked if it was anyone’s birthday T. was right up front to get singled out (they said it was okay that her birthday was yesterday).
They played about a dozen songs. And in between songs, their banter was wonderful. They told jokes (Keith juggles), they did left brain/right brain challenges (draw a square with one hand and a triangle with other) and they explained to the kids about the instruments they use (they also do musical instruction at schools). (more…)
I Just Read About That... 