Musical duo Trout Fishing in America brings a children's concert to the Hylton Performing Arts Center

If you aren't giggling at the striking contrast of the 6'9" guitarist and the 5'5 1/2" upright bass player, you certainly will be once they start playing their hilarious music! 

Dubbed “the Lennon and McCartney of kids’ music” by NPR, musical duo Trout Fishing in America has warmed hearts and tickled funny bones for more than three decades with silly songs such as “My Hair Had a Party Last Night,” “Hello, My Chicken Thinks He’s a Dog” and “When I Was a Dinosaur.”

Trout Fishing in America appears at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012 at 2 p.m. as part of the Hylton Family Series. In its second year, this popular series encourages parents and children to enjoy and experience the arts together.

Guitarist Ezra Idlet and bassist Keith Grimwood first met in the 1970s as members of the Houston-based eclectic folk band St. Elmo’s Fire. When that band dissolved in 1979, Idlet and Grimwood formed Trout Fishing in America, taking their name from Richard Brautigan’s 1967 novella of the same name. 

Throughout the years Trout Fishing in America has successfully recorded and marketed more than 20 acclaimed albums on their Trout Records label, enchanting audiences of all ages with their infectious blend of folk/pop and family music peppered with reggae, Latin, blues, jazz and classical music influences. Their recordings have earned three National Indie Awards, four Grammy nominations and multiple Parents’ Choice Gold Awards and American Library Awards. 

The duo has also authored two children’s books with accompanying CDs: “My Name is Chicken Joe” and “Chicken Joe Forgets Something Important,” published by The Secret Mountain and illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch.

The Hylton Family Series will continue in the spring with the Pushcart Players performing “Peter and the Wolf” on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.; Michael Cooper’s “Masked Marvels & Wondertales” on Sunday, March 3 at 4 p.m.; and Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom” starring Peter Gros on Sunday, April 21 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Please visit HyltonCenter.org/family for more information about these performances at the Hylton Performing Arts Center.

Tickets to Trout Fishing in America are $5 for children and $15 for adults. To purchase tickets, please call 888-945-2468, visit HyltonCenter.org or visit the Hylton Center box office, open Tuesday-Saturday, 10-6; Thursday 10-8. Free parking is available onsite.