PRINTMusicians of Generation Y
These kids could be the future faces of music
August 9, 2012 | 12:00 a.m. CST
Michael Jackson started singing professionally at age 5. By the time Taylor Swift was 20, she’d sold more than 8 million copies of her two albums. These Columbia kids haven’t made it big yet, but with their talent, drive and distinctive sound, they just might be the next Slash, Katy Perry or John Lennon. Their soulful voices, which are exceptionally mature for their young ages, and impressive instrumental prowess stand out in Columbia’s growing music scene.
Jaden Messner, 15
Vocals and saxophone
School: Hickman High School
Started music: Singing in second grade and saxophone in sixth grade
Where do you gain writing inspiration? A lot of times I just get inspiration from my friends and my family, but also there’s this sort of unorthodox message that I have. Sometimes it doesn’t even come from me. It comes from a story that I get in my head, and then I try to put it to music and express it in my songwriting.
What are your future goals with music? I definitely want to keep playing music. I don’t know how I’m going to do that at this point, but I’d really like to become famous. I know that’s kind of a common thing, but I want to be a rock star! I really do.
What else would you want people to know about you? I’m blind in my left eye. I can still see pretty well out of my right eye. It’s hard for me to read music. I have to have things blown up, and people print my music on 11-by-17 paper. But a lot of times I play things by ear.
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Lucy Goldberg, 8
Vocals
School: Cedar Ridge Elementary
Started music: A year ago at open mic at The Bridge
Who is your favorite musician? I kind of have two different singers, Katy Perry, and I forgot the other guy’s name.
Have you ever won any awards for music? I earned a certificate for being an awesome singer from Mr. Darr in my second-grade class.
Are you performing anywhere in the near future? At The Bridge on Aug. 18. It’s an open mic event for kids to show what they’ve learned.
What else would you want people to know about you? I also perform at Mojo’s and The Blue Note. There’s this band I practice with, Interstellar Overdrive (a Pink Floyd tribute band). I don’t really get to do much, but I get to sing.
Sydney Hemwall, 14
Vocals, flute, oboe, saxophone, piano and some bass guitar
School: Jefferson Junior High
Started music: Singing in third grade and playing instruments in sixth grade
Who is your favorite musician? John Lennon.
Do you write songs? Yes. The song I’m writing right now is “Games.” It has to do with the problems in friendships.
Do you have any pre-performance rituals? With my voice teacher, I warm up with a mini meditation. I work on breathing and get in touch with my music. I feel good about myself before a performance.
What are your future goals with music? I want to release a CD. I’m going to stay involved in music and maybe minor in it.
Jarrett Wacker, 17
A little singing, bass guitar and trombone
School: Hickman High School
Started music: Sixth grade
Who is your favorite musician? That’s a hard choice. Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He’s a really good bassist.
Do you write songs? Sometimes. I play bass in the school’s jazz band, so I do a lot of improv with that. With rock music, I normally write down my own stuff.
What are your future goals with music? A career out of it would be nice, but I’m probably going to mostly play for fun and get a minor in jazz studies at MU.
What do you want to be when you get older? Hopefully anything involving music, but if not, I’m thinking of majoring in biology, so wherever that can take me.
Shane Wacker, 17
Drums and percussion
School: Hickman High School
Started music: Percussion in sixth grade and drum set in seventh grade
What is your favorite genre? Definitely rock. Alternative and hard rock are my favorites.
Have you ever won any awards for music? This last year with the marching band, we got an outstanding percussion award at our first marching event.
What kind of feeling does performing give you? It’s a big adrenaline rush, definitely worth the stage fright. I don’t like all of the focus being on me, but if it’s split between a whole band then it’s not that bad.
What do you want to be when you get older? I’m thinking about going into programming for video games. I do pretty good with that and designing monsters and stuff.
