Curious Parents Class Resources

In Harmony

Trout Fishing In America is a Band for All Ages
By Rebecca Lasky

Jan Silberman, her husband and five kids trudged through miles of snow in Arkansas to see one of their favorite bands, Trout Fishing in America. That’s quite a tribute to the Grammy-nominated band for families and many other fans, including Silberman’s 70-year-old parents in England and nieces and nephews in Switzerland.

They could’ve drove, but the family follows Orthodox Judaism and doesn’t drive on Saturdays. “It was snowing that day, but the kids were excited because they had hardly ever seen snow, being from New Orleans,” Silberman said. “We enjoyed walking through a very pretty, little town in the snow. We got to sit in the VIP section and be almost in the front row for the concert, so we ended up being in the My Best Day DVD quite a lot. Trout Fishing waited until after sundown after they had played a very intense concert and drove us back to our hotel. So the kids got to ride in the Trout Van, which they still talk about.”

But, you probably won’t have to walk through the snow or go to the south to see the band: they’re coming to the Appel Farm Arts and Music Center 457 in Elmer, N.J. on March 31.

Trout Fishing in America: an unusual name for a very unusual band. Yet, however unusual the name or band may be, they have been striving for 30 years with 13 CDs recorded and the promise of many more to come.

The band itself consists of two friends, Ezra Idlet on guitar and Keith Grimwood on bass. They met as members of the Houston based eclectic folk/rock band, St. Elmo’s Fire, which disbanded in 1979, giving way to Trout Fishing in America. Not only have they carved out three decades worth of writing, recording and performing, the duo has garnered three National Indie Awards, multiple Parents Choice Gold and American Library Awards, as well as three Grammy nominations.

Grimwood described the group as “folk pop with a dose of humor for all ages.” The music, a contagious mix of folk/pop and family entertainment, is based on the diverse influences of reggae, Latin, blues, jazz and classical.

“We’re like an iPod, combining all types of music and shuffling them around so you hear an upbeat song next to a slow ballad followed by a funny song that’ll make you laugh,” Idlet said.

Their latest CD, My Best Day, was a live recording sponsored by the Arkansas Educational Television Network and has earned the duo their third Grammy nomination for best musical album for children.

However, the duo explained that their music isn’t just for children. There is a little bit of everything and anything that appeals to just about everyone in one way or another.

Both Idlet and Grimwood agreed that the nomination was not only exciting, but an honor. “Trout Records,” Idlet said, “is an independent label. It is a huge honor to just be recognized as such and to be mentioned in the same company as other, non-independent labels.”

This year, family members will be accompanying the duo to the award ceremony, a first in the three times they have been nominated. The first nomination they went by themselves. The second time they sent their children. But they felt this time the whole family should be there.

What makes them such a hit is that each show is different than any previous set. Everyone, from Idlet and Grimwood, to the audience, has a blast. With their upcoming concert in South Jersey the duo said it was going to be extremely enjoyable. “New songs, new set,” Grimwood said. “We’re going to play for the audience that’s there.”

Perhaps that’s another thing that makes their concerts so entertaining. “We look at the audience and the people out there. Parents are there with their kids, all enjoying the music. We see three, maybe four generations of families sitting there, all for different reasons, but no matter what the reason, they’re all dancing and singing along, enjoying themselves,” said Idlet. “Driving, songwriting, talking about it, performing, playing.

“There’s no part I don’t like. It’s like asking me, ‘What part of eating chocolate do you like?’” Grimwood said with a chuckle.

With My Best Day and all of their other CDs, they strive to encourage finding a passion. It is something they want to pass on to not only their children but to all children and everyone else around them.

From odes to friends whom we love despite the fact they talk too much, to alien nose invasions and snowflakes named Bob, My Best Day is just the tip of the iceberg to the truly talented and energetic music that has made Trout Fishing in America.

Rebecca Lasky is an editorial assistant for Curious Parents.