Kids music show with RTTs, Grandsons Jr.

Two of the Washington area’s best rockabilly/Americana bands will present their children's concerts as The RTTs and Grandsons Jr. in a benefit show for Hungry for Music, a nonprofit that donates musical instruments to underprivileged kids. Info: 240-582-6193 or 301-891-7100.

Also known as the Rhodes Tavern Troubadours, The RTTs burst on to the D.C. music scene in 2001, earning Washington Area Music Association awards for best new band and best rock/pop band, and they followed that with several more Wammies. As the RTTs, the band (Jake Flack on guitar/vocals, Mark Noone on bass/vocals, and Jack O’Dell on drums/vocals) released in 2004 the kids' CD, “Turn it Up Mommy!” and their next kids recording,  “Goodie Bag,” came out this winter. Both have received wide airplay on XM/Sirius' KidsPlace.

Now in their 25th year, The Grandsons have perfected their the upbeat mix of rock, swing, New Orleans R&B, country and Latin music that is classic Americana. Vocalist-guitarist-trumpeter Alan MacEwen charms audiences with his sly wit and winsome original songs. Saxophonist Chris Watling is in demand all over
as a guest artist and session player. D.C. blues veteran Matthew Sedgley locks in the groove on drums and percussion. Moe Nelson (Hula Monsters, Dan Hicks) holds down the low end on bass. They have won several Wammies in categories such as artist of the year (2007), roots rock group (1995) and pop group (1994).
As The Grandsons Jr., they combine new material learned especially for the younger set, with Grandsons tunes that have been
popular with the kids. Their first kids' CD, "One Big Orooni," an
album of Slim Gaillard music, is a tribute to the magical, zany scat troubadour popular in the 1940s and '50s in the be-bop jazz scene.