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| Isaac Smith, 15, of Howard City, has been playing the fiddle for five years. His instrument, a Stradivarius copy, is 113 years old. |
| Fiddler Isaac Smith, 15, put his iPod on shuffle. The following songs played:
• "Miami, My Amy" by Keith Whitley (1985)
• "Am I A Fool?" by Lonesome River Band (1998)
• "Back Up and Push" by David Grisman (1991)
• "Carolina in the Pines" by Harley Allen (1983)
• "Detroit City (I Wanna Go Home)" by Bobby Bare (1963)
• "Knee Deep In Lovin' You" by The Bluegrass Cardinals (1978)
• "Home to Carolina" by The Grass Cats (2006)
• "She's No Angel" by Red Allen (1991)
• "There Was A Time" by Rodney Dillard (member of The Darlings, a fictional bluegrass band on "The Andy Griffith Show)
• "Carolina's Arms" by IIIrd Tyme Out (2009)
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1/18/2010 12:12:00 PM
Teen fiddler keeps old songs alive
Elisabeth Waldon
Staff Writer
HOWARD CITY - What's the difference between a fiddle and a violin?
"About $500 a week," said Isaac Smith with a grin.
Another difference?
Hands for the violin versus heart for the fiddle.
Smith, 15, makes good use of his hands and his heart. The Tri County High School sophomore started playing the fiddle at age 10. His first instrument was a $100 Chinese model. Now he plays a 113-year-old Stradivarius copy.
Smith sounded decent after practicing a few months. He sounded great after the first year.
He learned harmony and melody from two local music teachers and began playing on stage at The Great Northern Music Hall in Howard City. He entered a talent show at age 10 at Baker College in Fremont and placed second. He won the Tri County Middle School talent show three years in a row, from sixth grade to eighth grade.
"I don't get nervous up on stage," he said. "I never did.
Smith's stage confidence comes in handy when he plays with bluegrass band Schlitz Creek. The well-known West Michigan band and Smith crossed paths about three years ago at the Marshall Bluegrass Festival.
"He wandered into our campsite with his fiddle," said mandolin player John Speeter. "We were initially a bit skeptical about a young kid with a fiddle. We thought we would pick an easy song and then say goodbye. He just absolutely stunned us with his ability, not only to play popular bluegrass songs but also to pick up new songs. We just sat there astounded."
The band nicknamed him "Ike" and invited him to play a show with them.
"He stole the show," Speeter said. "Since then he's been playing with us on a regular basis. He's been the star of our show. He adds another complete dimension because he is excellent on lead and back-up, which just gives us a whole new sound. We really value having him in the band. He's an outstanding individual."
Smith has had the opportunity to play with many legendary musicians over the past few years, including three-time national banjo champion Gary "Biscuit" Davis" and Rodney Dillard, member of bluegrass band The Darlings on "The Andy Griffith Show."
Smith's parents aim to give him as many musical experiences as possible. Smith and his father, Jim, a dog trainer, are gone most Thursdays through Sundays to concerts and festivals. Smith's mother, Dawn, a nurse educator for Spectrum Health, often comes along.
Jim Smith plays guitar and enjoys accompanying his son on songs. The father and son are "real good friends."
"Isaac's favorite thing to do isn't to play with the guys on stage," Jim Smith said. "It's pickin' around the campfire."
Smith, who also plays guitar, mandolin and tenjor banjo, said he likes "anything fast and driving" when it comes to music. His favorite bands and musicians are Mark O'Connor ("he's a diverse fiddler"), Lonesome River Band ("they're a pretty tight group") and Tony Rice's performances with friends ("they're all great musicians").
"My iPod is all old country and bluegrass," Smith said.
Smith wrote his first song, "Dancing After Midnight," when he was invited to participate at a songwriter's workshop at Native Wood Music Store in Hesperia.
"He's a great young man and he's extremely talented," said Native Wood owner Dan Yother. "I've known him since he was as little as a fiddle. Now he's as big as a bass fiddle.
"His mom and dad have surrounded him with good musicians and that's a great influence," he said. "He takes the knowledge that he gets and transposes it himself. He's got a good head on his shoulders. I think he's got a wonderful future ahead of him, both in college and in music."
Smith's favorite high school subject is pre-Civil War American history. He wants to be a history professor someday. He also enjoys fishing, hunting, playing video games, riding quads and weightlifting.
"It's really been great to watch him take on and meet new challenges," said Dawn Smith. "It's been really exciting. He's still really sweet and down to earth. He always puts his family first."
Smith will perform at Cooper's Glen Music Festival at the Radisson Hotel in Kalamazoo on Jan. 22 and 23, at the Black Box Luthier Show at Baker College in Fremont on Feb. 6 and with Schlitz Creek at Zellie's Opry House in Howard City on March 27.
Visit www.schlitzcreek.com online for more information about Smith.
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Posted: Friday, January 29, 2010
Article comment by:
Ron Ludy
It has been my privilege to know Isaac (and his father, Jim) for a few years, and even play piano accompaniment for him a couple of times.
He has an excellent ear, is humble and is always striving to learn more.
Isaac has developed skills quickly, has already built an outstanding repertoire, and is always focused on honing his craftsmanship.
Isaac is a perfect example of what can happen in a family when parents discover a young person's talent and nurture it wherever possible, including making the investment of taking him where he can be exposed to others who have skills in that area.
There is a similar success story in Adam Swanson, formerly of Michigan, who at 16 is now playing Ragtime piano around the country.
A young person who wants to learn is always going to find people who are willing to share, provided he has encouragement and exposure opportunity. Isaac's parents have sacrificially gone out of their way to give him this.
Go Isaac!
Ron Ludy
Oxford, MI
Posted: Friday, January 22, 2010
Article comment by:
billie briggs
Isaac was taught to play by my father-n-law Ace Briggs. He passed away in October 2008. He would be and was VERY proud of Isaac and all of his students.
Posted: Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Article comment by:
Faune Benson
NCCA “West Michigan Luthiers”
The Newaygo County Council for the Arts is bringing you another unforgettable exhibit and performance. Starting Monday, February 2 there will be photographs of handmade instruments that are made by local luthiers, craftsmen who make and repair stringed instruments. The photographs include ukuleles, a cello, a bouzouki (octave mandolin), violins, and electric bass, electric guitars and acoustic guitars on display at the Dogwood Center for Performing Arts lobby gallery.
There will also be a live performance and a chance to meet the artists on Saturday, February 6. The reception and meet and greet will be from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. in the lobby of the Dogwood Center. This is your opportunity to learn about the instrument building process and see the instruments first hand. The Concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., doors open at 7:00 p.m., in the Dogwood Center for Performing Arts - Black Box, 4734 South Campus Court, Fremont.
The exhibit showcases the talents and workmanship of so many fine luthiers and a live performance by some of the best musicians in West Michigan. Luthiers include Bill Degennaro, Robert Sayers, Mark Swanson, Elon Howe, Dan Yother, Lew Fowler, and Donald Benson. The performers include Bill Degenarro, Robert Sayers, The 13th Hour, Dan Yother with Isaac Smith, and Donald Benson. NCCA is also proud to welcome Steve Albert, the host of Michigan Saturday Night on Blue Lake Public Radio, as the MC for the 2010 “West Michigan Luthiers” concert This is sure to be an exciting musical event that everyone will enjoy!
Tickets are $10.00 per person in advance and $12.50 the day of the event. Tickets are available for advanced purchase through NCCA-Artsplace 231.924.4022 or the Dogwood Center ticket office 231.924.8885. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.
The West Michigan Folk Luthiers exhibit will be in the Dogwood Center for Performing Arts Lobby Gallery from February 2 through March 1, and open gallery hours are Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information stop by, call or visit NCCA, 13 E. Main, Fremont, 231.924.4022,
www.ncca-artsplace.org.
Posted: Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Article comment by:
Mr.. Rogers
Cool story
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