Youngman & Oldmen: 150 years and counting
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By
Nancy Tobin
Youngman & Oldmen: 150 years and counting
Sunday, Oct. 27, ArtRat Gallery hosts the latest in its roots music series curated by The Stableford Agency. Americana Sundays: An Afternoon With Youngman & Oldman runs 3-5pm at 46 Division Ave. S in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. (Admission $20; tickets available from Eventbrite.)
Longtime fixtures on the Michigan music scene (circa 1974), Frank Youngman (vocals, guitar, ukulele, accordion); Mark Schrock (vocals, mandolin, guitar); and Tom T. Ball (upright bass) perform a repertoire of Americana folk tunes, vintage jazz, "ancient" country music, and singalongs. Their music is wrapped up in stories and smiles: three lifelong musician friends committed to entertaining their audiences ... and each other.
Ahead of the show, Mark and Tom answered ArtRat’s questions about their origin stories and what the audience can expect Oct. 27.
As the name implies, you're all veterans of West Michigan's roots music scene. How long have you been playing together in various configurations, and what do those configurations look like?
Tom: We've all known each other for about 50 years and have played in many configurations including Jive at Five (6-7 piece swing band), The Lost World String Band, Iowa Rose, Quackgrass, and many other offshoots.
Mark: Yes, we three met in 1974, jammed a lot with the aforementioned bands, but became steady bandmates in Jive At Five from 1992 until the present day.
How and when did this power trio come together?
Tom: This all came together out of financial necessity as some venues couldn't afford the big band!
Mark: Very funny, Tom! (Though it's true: Three only eat and drink half as much as a 6-7 piece swing band.) Youngman & Oldmen played their first official gig at Salt of the Earth New Year's Eve, 2015.
In addition to your combined musical prowess, you're all active in bringing audiences and musicians together. When you think about the past half-century of Michigan music, what are a few moments that stand out?
Tom: Well, the obvious is the big Daddies of the Michigan fests: Wheatland/Bliss/Hiawatha/
Mark: Frank, Tom and I have all been very active in bringing roots music to our communities; Tom with the Wheatland Music Festival, Frank in the Cadillac area, and me in Fennville, booking musicians at Salt of the Earth since 2009, and organizing 25 years of community concerts for the city of Fennville.
How has the scene evolved since you started playing?
Tom: It feels like events have gone from simple little stages and little sound systems to modern day equipment and MANY more folks making great music...
Mark: There certainly are a lot more festivals, community concerts, and musicians than when we started out!
What can attendees expect from your Americana Sundays appearance?
Tom: If it feels good, we might just play it! And, if we start to have more fun than the audience, it's time for them to catch up!
Mark: Yes, we like to have fun for sure. Frank's got a great collection of humorous tunes. Attendees should expect to sing along a bit, laugh a bit, and groan a little from time to time. … We can't resist a dad joke or a good pun.
What do you like best about performing in Grand Rapids?
Tom: It is a very hip city with lots of great fans of music in general-and a lot of friends live there,so we hope they come out!
Mark: Being from Grand Rapids, it's always fun to see what's happening in town. And having played at ArtRat before, I'm looking forward to bringing Y&O to that space.