Andy has a remarkable ability to make kids feel welcomed and valued as a person and musical contributors. I’m so glad Acoustic Kids has stayed involved in the community, because not only does it give all these kids good memories, but as they grow up, they’ll remember that their contribution is important. – Sara Watkins (Website) ⇨ Read more
This video is of a very young Nickel Creek in 1995 performing in Acoustic Kids at the Walnut Valley Festival. Joining Chris Thile (mandolin), Sara Watkins (fiddle) and Sean Watkins (guitar) is Chris’ dad, Scott, on bass.
Links: View/print PDF • 1995 video of Nickel Creek in Acoustic Kids
We recently uncovered this gem in our archives! 1993 was was the first of several years that Nickel Creek (Chris Thile, Sean Watkins, Sara Watkins, and, then, Scott Thile on bass) was a part of the showcases. This article was written by Andy for the “Walnut Valley Occasional,” the festival newspaper.
The Walnut Valley Festival Acoustic Kids is our longest-running program. We celebrated our 30th WVF Acoustic Kids in 2022! ⇨ Read more
Festival-based non-competitive performance opportunities for musicians and singers, age 18 and younger, of any skill level. What We Do I still remember the open and friendly environment [Andy and Lauren] created for the young players at the [Walnut Valley] festival. Andy has a remarkable ability to make kids feel welcomed … ⇨ Read more
History I first developed the Acoustic Kids concept as a way to showcase my students who had the desire and the ability to share their talents with an audience larger than their family and friends. As a performer and educator myself, I wanted Acoustic Kids to be a positive experience … ⇨ Read more