Young musicians steal the show at blues festival

Joanna Connor played slide guitar blues music to close out Friday’s line-up of talented musicians at Keokuk’s 19th annual Rollin’ on the River Blues Festival.

A musician said “God must enjoy the blues” at Victory Park, Keokuk, this weekend.

If so, a lot of people were in agreement at the 19th Annual Rollin' on the River Blues Festival Friday and Saturday. In the tradition of the end-of-summer music festival, blues bands from around the country came to Keokuk and local voices and talent performed in the tent.

Three siblings who took a weekend break from school in Tupelo, Miss., to travel for their first visit in Iowa brought audience members out of their seats.

Homemade Jamz' features Ryan Perry, 15, vocals and lead guitar; Kyle Perry, 13, bass guitar; and their younger sister, Taya Perry, 8, on drums. Sibling bands are not new, but throw out any ideas of the Jackson Five, the Hansons or Osmonds.

Ryan started the set playing an original guitar made with a car muffler and sang with the soul of someone 40 years older. With poise and musical grit - and no flashy costumes - the trio played longer than scheduled and the still audience couldn't get enough. And it wasn't because it was a children's novelty act.

Delta blues guitar player/singer Willie Houston, who has been playing for 60-plus years, preceded Homemade Jamz' and watched from stage-side, riveted. He shook his head in wonder at the energy and excitement. Lil' Ed with the Blues Imperials also watched as Homemade Jamz' performed a mixture of original songs and familiar tunes. Both older musicians shook hands with the three band members after their show. Several musicians told the trio they played well.

“You play with lots of heart,” said the bass player from Scotty and the Soultones.

Rollin' on the River organizer Jim Wells, stood transfixed by Taya on drums.

“She's so cute,” said Wells. “It's ridiculously (good) the way she plays these awesome rave-ups on the drums. She's got God-given talent.”

They are still kids. Prior to their set, Kyle and Taya could be seen chasing around behind the stage after one another.

“The muffler guitar was my dad's idea,” said Ryan. “We bought a muffler for my car and he said, ‘let's try making it into a guitar.' This is about as down-home as you can get. The exhaust pipes are from Western Auto. The Ford emblem is from my dad's old truck. I used the electronics from one of my old guitars. I hope to make more and sell them after I get famous. If I did it now, people would think I stole the idea from someone else.”

His dad admits they did not know if turning a muffler into a guitar would work or sound right.

“Look how he holds his hand on the long notes,” said another musician, watching Ryan play. “He vibrates his fret hand for vibration like B.B. King. He's really got talent. And the younger kid on bass is no slouch. He's really got it going on. It's amazing. This band with just three elements can make all that sound. ”

Perhaps as only siblings can, the two brothers moved in synchrony to some of the notes.

Ryan switched guitars during the set to a more conventional instrument. He went into the audience, playing the guitar above his head to the delight of listeners, including Patricia Hewitt, a regular each year at the festival.

The Perrys travel as a family, with parents Renaud and Tricia Perry their manager and booking agent. Renaud introduced the band.

“The youngest band to ever win at the International Blues Challenge, with 24 original songs registered and soon to be featured on a CBS Sunday Morning show,” Renaud said.

CBS came to the Perry home in Tupelo earlier this summer to tape a special about the young band. It will air sometime before Sept. 20, Renaud said. He invited everyone to keep up with Perry news at myspace.com/homemadejamzbluesband.

“My husband used to listen to old, old blues records,” said Tricia. “I'm new to the blues.”

Both parents are former U.S. Army members and served in Desert Storm.

Renaud was sent on an unaccompanied tour to Korea after Tricia left the service.

“He bought an acoustical guitar in Korea to have something to do in his spare time,” she said. “When he came home, Ryan found it when he was unpacking. He was 8 at the time and asked if he could play with it. By the end of the week he could play along with commercials on TV. He took two years of lessons and gravitated to the blues. It took us going through three instructors to find a good gospel/blues instructor.

“Our middle child, Kyle, started playing the piano and got bored. He tried guitar but was discouraged when he wasn't as good as his older brother. We asked if he'd like to try the bass guitar. He got one for his ninth birthday and loved it immediately.”

Renaud said he never did learn to play the guitar. He joined his children on stage for one song on the harmonica.

Youngest child and only girl, Taya, started playing tambourine at six, then took drum lessons. She's been playing with her brothers since December 2005.

“I've taught myself a lot on the drums.” she said.

So far, road trips are fun adventures.

“We played in Chicago in June, on Kyle's 13th birthday,” said Taya. “School's already started for us, so we came here just for the weekend.”

Kyle said the furthest they've traveled to play is to Washington, D.C.

“It's crazy, all the travel,” said Tricia. “The kids had never been to Iowa before and were excited to come here. The audience here is the best we've ever had. We're just letting this grow, it was never a plan. It still hasn't hit me how much people like them.”

After their set, the Perrys talked with fans, sold CDs and autographed drum sticks, shirts, pants and paper.

“I like everything about playing music,” said Ryan. “I like our band, I like the atmosphere. I like playing with my brother and sister. We come up with our own songs. It's a lot of fun.”

Sandy Boyer of Macomb, Ill., attended the music festival both nights, bring three others with her.

“This is the first year I've heard about Rollin' on the River,” she said. “I wish I'd known about it all those other 18 years. We've been following Sally Weisenburg for awhile.”

Sally Weisenburg and the Famous Sidemen performed Friday before the headline act of Joanne Connor.

“The music has been awesome,” said Boyer Saturday. “I've really enjoyed this. I'll definitely come back next year.”

Wells said the weekend went smoothly.

“We were blessed with perfect weather,” he said. “The committee worked hard. I don't know quite how we'll top our two headliners, Joanna Connor and Lil Ed, and the stars-in-the-making.

“Thanks to the community for supporting the festival and thanks to all the volunteers who make it happen. It couldn't happen without them.”