The Winter Muse

Sophie Hernandezmore photos

There is more to American youth's involvement in music than American Idol.  Unfortunately, what is truly worthy in other forums seldom gets the attention it deserves. Last fall, I highlighted how the band Styxx did a concept DVD with a youth orchestra and you heard insightful thoughts from prog guitarist James Young.

This week is closer to home - in fact - our own backyard. When I learned that Sarah Kane, a teacher at Tuckahoe Middle School had created an afterschool open mic club, I was all ears. From humble beginnings, its grown considerably in popularity over the past year. As a former guitar teacher to kids, my wheels began spinning. The challenge: have your kids come up with an original song about Winter during the past Christmas season. I would pick a winner based on creativity and performance as the kids submitted their MP3s. The winner would have his/her song recorded here and played on the show. 

That’s how I came to meet 14 year old Sophie Hernandez. She and Mrs. Kane recently graced our studios via interview and song. I was also pleasantly surprised to learn that Sophie has already written almost a dozen originals as a singer/songwriter. Right now she's acoustically based and there is a lot to be said for this young woman, not only in terms of lyrically maturity but in her choice of different kinds of American idols - she prefers Hendrix over Bieber - and lyrics from a generation to those of today. Indeed her own winning entry sounds more like something from the mind of a young Bob Dylan than anything you would wrongly assume circulates in a middel school mind.

That's the centerpiece this week. Musical bookends are provided by some names you may recognize - both as independent artists and internationally known bands - spanning four decades. Other gems in our wintry mix include Mountain, Black Crowes, Jeff Beck, Blind Faith, and more gracefully crossing musical bi-ways with past and present with local performers such as Chris Lucas, Bill Hudson, and Girlfriend.

The Electric Croude airs every late Saturday at midnight EST on WCVE Public Radio.

You can follow me on Twitter at wcvegeorgemaida and Facebook at Geo Maida.

Hermie the Wistful cricket as co-host has Geoff the Robot possibly chasing him. Will have to check with Robbie and Hal on that.