Rock and Roll at the library.
In my young adult lit class we have been asked to help with one of the most interesting library programs going on across the country.
We will be helping a band called The High Strung kick off their National Library tour.That’s right; a popular rock band is going on a tour of libraries, throughout the nation. Their website has a short article which talks all about the tour.
Make History with The First-Ever National Rock & Roll Library Tour Featuring…THE HIGH STRUNG!
Are you looking for a high-energy, teen summer reading program?
Last year the quirky, carefree, energetic music of Detroit’s The High Strung electrified Michigan’s teen patrons with their sunny three-part harmonies and witty, lyrical bravado. This year the furious guitars and squonking organ that accompany the band’s catchy sing-along choruses are roaming the country, headed in your direction. Hailed by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the best new, young rock & roll bands in America, NPR’s Ken Tucker named The High Strung’s debut album These Are The Good Times as one of the Top 10 Rock Records of 2003, and the Washington Post called the title track “runner up best song of the year.” In August of 2005, in a segment touting the Library Tour, The High Strung was also featured on National Public Radio’s This American Life.
In addition to playing a full-set of their rousing Beatlesque jams, teens will get the first hand low-down about making records for major music industry labels. They’ll also get an insider’s view of creating a video for MTV and learn about touring on the road year-round all across the country. But in what’s sure to be the highlight of this first ever National Rock and Roll Library tour, at each appearance the band will solicit the audience’s help in writing and improvising a song on the spot.
For further information, to inquire about cost, or to book the band for your Teen Summer Reading Program call William Harmer, Teen Librarian of the Baldwin Public Library at 248-554-4656 or email harmerbi@baldwinlib.org. Bookings will be on a first come, first served basis, with one library show per state. Don’t let your teens be left out of this unique experience. The deadline to book the band for your summer reading program is March 10, 2006.
This could be a great way for libraries to reach out to the young adults in their communities.If you’re in the area, I encourage you to check out this opening show at the Detroit Public Library on April 5th at 5:30pm.
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They are coming to my library in Central Oregon in July, and we are so freaking excited. Organizing it all was pretty easy; I have to say a big thanks to Bill Harmer for being so easy to contact and so darn nice!
Yeah, Bill really is a cool guy, and he is so passionate about this idea. Hopefully your show will be great.
They are coming to our library too! Worthington Library in Ohio on July 28th. I can’t wait.
I was rather angry that Harry and the Potters seemed to get a lot more attention and excitement from librarians (at least in NY) than The High Strung did, because of the Potter connection. From a musical point of view, Harry and the Potters really just come off as posers, dressing up and such. The High Strung are an honest-to-goodness road warrior rock band living from hand-to-mouth, on the road endlessly for years, writing and recording highly original material. These guys are the real deal.