Band of the Golden West to take stage with "Trout Fishing in America"

  • Published
  • By Nick DeCicco
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Though geared toward a child audience, a pair of concerts later this month also may change perceptions about the artists involved.

At least, that's the hope USAF Band of the Golden West commander, Maj. Richard Mench, has for the band when it takes the stage with Trout Fishing in America, a rock/pop duo from Arkansas' Ozark Mountains.

The groups are scheduled to play April 20 and 21 at the Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre and Travis' Base Theater, respectively.

Major Mench has wanted to work with Trout Fishing for a decade, hoping the pairing shatters perceptions about Air Force bands.

"When people think of military bands, they generally think of one of two things: A parade ceremony or the typical concert band going out on tour," he said. "That's just about all people think about a military band."

Trout Fishing bassist and vocalist Keith Grimwood was emphatic it will reshape his group's identity as well.

"People can't help but notice something like this and think, 'Wow, they must be doing something.' Well, we are doing something," Mr. Grimwood said. "It's one thing to travel around just the two of us and play a bunch of shows. But to do big events like this really changes the way people think about you."

Guitarist/vocalist Ezra Idlet joins Mr. Grimwood in Trout Fishing in America. The group takes its name from the Richard Brautigan novel of the same name. Among its numerous accolades, the band has garnered three Grammy nominations.

Northern California is hardly foreign territory for Misters Grimwood and Idlet, who played the first Trout Fishing gigs on street corners in Santa Cruz, Calif., in 1977.
The pair's sound evolved throughout the years, graduatally incorporating children's music. The band now operates its own studio and record label, alternating between all-ages and adult-directed records. However, they're always keeping children in mind.

"If you've got to sit in your car with your kids listening to a CD, it better be one that you can enjoy, too," Mr. Idlet said.

Mr. Grimwood said the duo's goal when playing for children isn't to do "typical sweet stuff."

"We don't play down to them," he said. "We always have in the back of our minds that mom and dad have to listen to this stuff, too. They don't want to listen to a bunch of garbage. We try to present real music."

That's the style and attitude which grabbed Major Mench when he heard his first Trout Fishing album 10 years ago.

Around the time of the birth of his oldest son, Alex, the major's sister gave him a CD of the group's material. Since then, he's made it a personal goal to work with Trout Fishing.

"We just, as a family, fell in love with the group - very smart, witty, adult lyrics geared toward kids," he said.

Throughout a number of Major Mench's assignments, he's tried to land a gig with the Arkansas band. He said one of his previous commanders had zero interest in using a guest-artist slot for a children's show while another liked the notion, but put it on the backburner. Upon learning he would take command at Travis, he tucked the idea away for himself.

"Trout Fishing was No. 1 in my mind as somebody I wanted to work with," he said. "They look at things through kids eyes but have a wonderful way of putting songs together."

As uncharacteristic as the pairing of a dexterous pop duo and an armed forces band may seem, Mr. Imlet played in the marching band in junior high school and high school while Mr. Grimwood spent two years with the Houston Symphony Orchestra.

"But it's a little different standing in front of an orchestra than it is sitting back there in the back of the bass section," Mr. Grimwood joked.

The show will be divided into two acts. The first will feature the Golden West band, playing a themed show including songs from "The Incredibles" and "Dumbo." In the second half, Trout Fishing joins the act to play more than a half-dozen of its own songs, including a Major Mench favorite, "Alien in My Nose."

"I can't tell you as we're listening to these arrangements how excited I'm getting about playing with the band," Mr. Idlet said. "The band is a little different than an orchestra and I love the sound that comes out of a band.

"Every time we have encountered a new musical situation, we have grown from it. It makes us better players and musicians. And as far as a growth experience, this is big on our radar."

The groups perform April 20 at 3 p.m., at Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre, 1010 Ulatis Drive. Though this show is sold out, Major Mench encouraged anyone interested to show up as there are sometimes seats unused. The second and final show is April 21 at 7 p.m. at the Base Theater.

For more information, call the Airman Family Readiness Center at 424-2486. For more on Trout Fishing in America, visit http://www.troutmusic.com.