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Folk duo Trout Fishing In America to perform Oct. 10

October 3, 2021

Four-time Grammy-nominated duo Trout Fishing In America will come to the Milton Theatre at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 10.

Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet formed Trout Fishing in America in 1979 as a means of survival. As a part of the Texas-based, five-piece band St. Elmo’s Fire, they traveled to California to be discovered and signed by a major record label. When no such opportunity arose, and the promising tour dissolved, Keith and Ezra peeled off from their bandmates to fend for themselves.

Busking on the streets of Santa Cruz with an acoustic guitar and an upright bass, the pair quickly learned that engaging listeners instantly was the only path toward dollars and coins in the open guitar case. When entry in a music contest required them to have a name for their new band, they chose Trout Fishing in America as an homage to Keith’s love of writer Richard Brautigan and Ezra’s love of fishing.

Drawing inspiration from childhoods spent listening to top 40 AM radio, the two songwriters seasoned their music with stylings from rock and roll, blues, folk, country, bluegrass, funk, Latin and reggae ... whatever sound would best bring out the flavor of the lyrics they wrote. From the beginning, they were a songwriting team with Keith primarily being the lyrical generator while Ezra developed the music. Their collaborative natures allowed them to edit each other’s contributions without egos clashing. They were nominated for Grammy awards in 2001, 2004, 2006 and 2008.

At the 40-year mark, these two friends continue writing songs and performing. Ezra has added an electric banjo and an electric bouzouki to his stage instruments. Keith has added the fiddle. It is not unusual for three or four generations of a family to show up at a Trout performance, and this is a point of pride for both Keith and Ezra. It may still be impossible to say what kind of music Trout plays, but after attending a show, audience members will know exactly what they’ve witnessed: two guys who still love what they do and are excited to share it with their listeners.

For tickets, go to MiltonTheatre.com or call 302-684-3038.

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