Group keeping the blues alive in Prince George youth
Written by PATTY STEWART
The Prince George Citizen
Ten Prince George teenagers have landed brand-new six-strings, courtesy of the local Blues Underground Network.
It’s not the first time the city’s purveyor of the genre of blues has undertaken such a role, providing instruments to secondary school students who have shown an interest in music.
Last year, seven students furthered their musical training and walked away with a new instrument.
Along with donating the six-string, acoustic guitars, the Network has partnered with Sound Entertainment to provide lessons to the kids.
Underground Blues Network founder Earl Krushelnicki said Duchess Park students were recipients in 2008, and this year’s students are all from Prince George Secondary School.
“You know, many of the really good guitar players didn’t start playing until they were way into their teens,” Krushelnicki said. “Jack Semple (Juno winner and past Underground Network guest performer) didn’t pick up the electric until he was 19-years-old.”
Could there be future Semple’s among these new musicians? Could the Underground Blues Network bring the birth of the blues to new generations right here in Prince George?
Stay tuned for more. In the meantime, the next Network concert is April 4 at the Columbus Community Centre with the fabulous guitar wizard James Rogers, known for playing with premier acts like Elvin Bishop, Canned Heat, Powder Blues and Long John Baldry, on stage.
Tickets for the event are at Books and Company on Third Avenue.
