At just 16, Ian Ridenhour is an incredibly accomplished musician with 10 years of performing, recording and composing experience under his belt. After winning big on the “Who Wants to be a Millionaire“ Whiz Kid week earlier this year, Ridenhour used his sizable purse to fund his new album, Cry About It. Ridenhour will play the album’s astute rock songs, defined by his energetic piano playing, at his holiday extravaganza show in Black Mountain. Listeners can expect a few festive covers and a selection of never-before-heard originals along with his fan-favorites. Ridenhour also promises performances by surprise guest artists and, in keeping with the spirit of the season, a Santa hat or two. White Horse Black Mountain hosts the show on Friday, Dec. 23, at 8 p.m. $10/$12. whitehorseblackmountain.com. Photo courtesy of Ian Ridenhour
Smart bets: Ian Ridenhour
Just curious- as this Mtn X anointed golden child seems to be the favorite of staff writers to gush upon before every White Horse show, is he aware that he is being manipulated by the adult world of the music biz like some sort of musical JoBenet Ramsey?
Perhaps he should converse with Jesse Barry for advice on this topic, as she was gushed upon as well when just a kid.
Call me old fashioned, but I always thought the best way to encourage one’s spawn who shows an interest in music was
“Auuuugh! What is that noise? Turn it Dowwwwwn! That’s not music!” or
“Some of us have to get up early in the morning and go to work for a living!”
or similar positive encouragement.
I sincerely hopes he flirts with ‘rebellion’, as in claiming to want to major in business and join a fraternity just to annoy the ‘rents before
managing his own music career.
To preemptively discourage ‘omg haterrrrrrs gonnna haaaaaate!’ comments, I’m only suggesting a healthy yet self aware style of cynicism.
Aiming the spotlight at youngsters that way just strikes me as, well, a bit Svengali, Mountain X.
Boatrocker,
Just curious have you ever seen Ian Ridenhour perform? Your pseudo-intellectual commentary couldn’t be more off-key. Having lived in Colorado during the Ramsey case and knowing it well, I see no correlation with it and Ian’s success. Do you think there is a possibility that some people simply have talent? If so should they be criticized because of it? I have noticed over the years that those who go out of their way to criticize others of talent have a bitterness for not having talent themselves. (Or are just envious!)
Boatrocker,
Did your boat get stuck on a sandbar somewhere because of a lack of a compass…. or did it just sink?
To answer your questions, J&Btab-
-yeah- I heard him perform- I happened to be at the White Horse for a friend’s birthday party- he played good stuff- the adult backup band? Barf
I almost wished for a DJ
-what I heard onstage was a talented kid sandwiched between the social media addicted ‘adult’ Svengalis living vicariously through him. At no time in my previous post did I disparage his music. Re-read my original post to find that out
-you really should Google Svengali- it might take a whole 10 seconds and it might describe you and the Mtn X
-pseudo intellectual? Play some live music yo’self, chile, then come at me like that- yep, I’ve been in his shoes at 15 as well and learned to
‘tune’ the press out and am happy for it as an adult, not like a McCauley Culkin or young Jackson 5 type who thought exploitation was just paying of the dues- sorry for using them big ol words
-did you actually read my entire (3 inches for length- is that a prob for you? ) post? Sorry, I don’t speak text
-my posting handle is an allusion (sorry, being a pseudo intellectual again for an 8th grade vocab word) to kayaking
– if you can’t tell the difference between me lambasting the Mtn X for weak news stories and confusing it with some sort of personal attack, Colorado is ready when you are to receive you with open arms
-also at no time did I disparage the White Horse. Believe it or not, they actually keep real snacks backstage as music does not run on PBR alone, but of course you knew that
Ian- consult your dictionary of choice if you are not familiar with the following terms:
sychophant
hanger on
coat tail rider
back biter/syndicaters if you dig the blues
You’ll find out soon enough what they mean- beware the dork side
adults in the music biz do not have your best interests in mind- to them, you are simply ‘product’
I think I’ve expressed what needs to be expressed.
Dangling a kid musician on strings like a puppet to make a buck/ re-living one’s failed childhood is messed up on so so many different levels.
Adults- I’m talking to you.