8-year-old guitar wiz has reason to play the blues

[Lord_of_the_Dense]

ELKHORN, Wis. - When Tallan "T-Man" Latz was 5, he saw Joe Satriani playing guitar on TV. "I turned around to my dad and said, 'That's exactly what I want to do.'"

Three years and countless hours of practicing later, 8-year-old Tallan is a blues guitar prodigy. He's played in bars and clubs, including the House of Blues in Chicago, and even jammed with Les Paul and Jackson Browne. He has a summer of festivals scheduled and has drawn interest from venues worldwide.

And what, you might ask, would a kid not even in the third grade have the blues about? The state of Wisconsin for one, and some possibly jealous older musicians for another.

Read entire story here (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080812/ap_on_en_mu/blues_kid).

[HelenaP]

Wow. So much to comment on.

It's a beautiful thing when a child feels the blues and chooses it as his (her) creative outlet.

More to come...

[HelenaP]

It must have been SRV's love child. No matter, you put a smile on my face and put a bit of music in my heart. I will follow this child always.

[notbob]

conversely, it's disgusting when parents capitalize on their kids talents to make a buck

i watched a few you tube videos, and it was enough to make me want to puke

[HelenaP]

He should divorce his parents and do what is laid on his heart to do. Which I think is...play
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm159/HelenaP_2008/music.jpg

[Mashed Mellow]

Me dunno but he might be the next Jimmy Hendrix?

[notbob]

more likely, the next gary coleman or danny bonaduce

[Feather]

you do have to admit the kid has talent Bob. And it is a shame the parents exploiting it for money.

[notbob]

he lives about 150 miles from me. people are outraged that the state is threatening to prevent him from performing in bars. he's 8 freakin' years old! he can play any outside venue, park or street corner. why in gods name should he even be in bars at all? let him do the county fair, etc.

there were elements of "sour grapes" in the news bits too, as if some grizzled bluesman is angry that the new kid is stealing the spotlight, but seriously--why should an 8 year old be in a bar at 9pm on a weekday? it's really sick if you think about it

[RACKnRAIL]

If he's such an amazing prodigy, he shouldn't have to play the bar scene. He just needs better management. It probably comes down to financial gain. It usually does.

[ratcat]

Yes ! Music is a powerful thing.

When the kitten grow up, is anyone going to play with the kitten then.

Or last the music industry pressures.

Eg Nathan Cavaleri. He was giving the title of blues guitar prodigy.

Where are they now? Nathan Cavaleri (http://www.bmusic.com.au/links/whatsnew/newsletters/archives/newsno147.html#where)


One thing I do understand is that Joe Satriani power.

[HelenaP]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc17/mememine69/awesome.jpg