Black Diamonds, by Ron Kolias
(Haverhill, MA) When Henry (9 years old), guitar strapped around his neck, past me in the staircase coming from his sister's dance practice, I said, "Hey, you should be upstairs with us at the music school!” It was less than two hours later and he was in our lobby and he said, "I want to do Rock School". And so our work began to put together the "Black Diamonds".
Nick, 11 years old, who was in his 3rd month of drum lessons with us, said he definitely wanted in! Nick's grandfather played the drums and he was following in his footsteps. Next, at our DeAngelis Studio Christmas Party we found our singer AJ, 11 years old. AJ's sister was taking guitar lessons with Mike DeAngelis and he came along to see his sister's performance. In between acts AJ came up to the mic, messing around, singing and talking and I said to Mike, "There, him, Rock School!”
And we needed one more. Bass players, so few and far between. It is no wonder many guitar players switch to bass to complete a band, and that is exactly what happened to Wolfgang, age 7. He was learning guitar off and on over the years with no real dedication or progress, but when Mike couldn't find any student bass players in that age group, I, Wolfgang's mom, suggested we switch him to the bass. I ran to the store a few days later and bought him a bass and 4 weeks later the Black Diamonds had their first rehearsal.
I couldn't believe my ears when I heard them actually playing a song, as I came up the building staircase to pick Wolfgang up. Mike was also extremely impressed with the kids and he said they did better than his teen and adult Rock Bands do on their first try.
The Black Diamonds are a true gem, if you missed them at Haverhill Kid's Fest, JP McBrides or the Salisbury Sand & Sea Festival, don't worry, their next event is Haverhill Rocks on August 22nd and the Topsfield Fair on October 2nd. Joining them is one of our Teen Rock School bands, Kelly & The Cosmic Noise, and they also will knock your socks off!
As Mike DeAngelis says, "These kids get all the best gigs!"
Because, when you belong to DeAngelis Studio of Music & Arts, "The Tour Starts Here!
Written by:
Nancy Burger
DeAngelis Studio of Music & Arts
978-374-5262
