Kicking it on his 16th birthday
Too young to drink, already a seasoned composer and performer
North Dakota’s loss is North Carolina’s gain. Before moving to the Swannanoa Valley, multi-instrumentalist Ian Ridenhour was already winning awards for his solo work and playing with several band in his native Bismarck. Now a seasoned composer and performer, “Ian’s Birthday Bash” marks his 16th birthday at the White Horse Black Mountain on Sunday, June 19 with music from his own band and local favorites David LaMotte and BJ Leiderman.
Ian’s performing career was launched at age 4 with African drumming group, Djibola Jr. While still in his preteens, he was winning awards on the Bismarck music scene for his solo work and his playing with the bands Blind Mice, Hex Radio and Tigirlily, developing impressive rock, jazz, funk and classical chops along the way.
Upon moving to the Asheville area, he drawn favorable attention from local heroes David LaMott and BJ Liederman who are lending their singer-songwriter and pop/rock talents respectively to the celebration.
La Motte notes that “Ian Ridenhour manages to write and perform songs that are accessible and relevant to adults and his peers while remaining authentic to who he is as young man exploring his own identity in relation to the world around him. ... It is thrilling to watch an artist begin a public career with as much promise as Ian’s.”
The Ian Ridenhour Band features the titular founder on keys, vocals, drums and ukulele. He’s joined by James Kylen on drums, Jake Wolf on bass and Jamieson Ridenhour on guitar. Ian has also released an album of original music, "Quietly Making Noise."
Killing us softly
Who: Ian Ridenhour
When: 7 p.m., June 19
Where: White Horse Black Mountain
Cost: $10 advance, $12 door