OK… We don’t expect to hear him singing and Flatt & Scruggs on the program, but Aaron Kelly, one of the 24 finalists on American Idol has some bluegrass in his background. The 16 year old from Pennsylvania is among the youngest ever to make it to the finals, and his family have been strong supporters of the efforts to maintain a bluegrass presence each year at Nashville’s Fan Fair extravaganza.
Dave Burley, who has managed a Bluegrass Booth during Fan Fair each summer for the past 10 years, says that Aaron’s family has provided financial assistance that has been crucial in keeping this project alive. The booth offers a spot for bluegrass artists to meet fans and sign autographs in the Nashville Convention Center alongside the big country stars, and Kelly and his parents have helped staff the booth this past few years.
Burley speaks highly of this talented young man.
“Aaron is a pop country singer and is friends with all of the bluegrass artists that have appeared in the booth. He loves the music and does sing it. He performed at the Bluegrass Inn every year for the past five years during Fan Fair, and was instrumental in helping us promote bluegrass during Fan Fair.”
Shhhh…. don’t tell the AI producers. We don’t want to jinx his chances!
