Hear & Now: It's on the record: That kid can play!

That kid can play!

It's the typical reaction to Norfolk child prodigy Grant Austin Taylor when he's performed at such venues as the Waterside Festival Marketplace and when he's joined top-notch acts like Better Than Ezra onstage at Town Point Park.

Now the 12-year-old singer/songwriter/guitarist has released a five-song EP featuring his considerable prowess plus the talents of Jimmy Wiseman on bass and keyboards and Judas Priest drummer Scott Travis.

The first track, "That's the Way Life Goes," is a powerful pop-rocker and a great introduction. Grant's skills as a musician and composer are amazing considering his age. Hansen has nothing on him.

The production on the EP comes across as major-label quality thanks to the mixing talent of Tim Roberts, who recorded the CD at Soul Haven Studios in Virginia Beach.

The edgy "When Life Turns Gray" was written in memory of his grandmother. Grant shows his eclectic side on "Make This Love Last," an acoustic-based ballad.

For a finale, Grant enlists the musical help of Harvey Kojan (keyboards), Henry Johnson (guitar) and Charlie Austin (fiddle) for a sizzling instrumental Taylor titled "Rockin' in P-Town."

That kid can play!

Fresh tunes

Mile High School will officially release its 11-song debut album, "Life of the Party," tonight at Budda's Place (16912 Warwick Blvd, Newport News). The Yorktown-based quintet draws a lot from such bands as the Gin Blossoms and Third Eye Blind, according to singer/guitarist Craig Kleemann. The gig fires off at 9. Admission is $5 for 21 and older, $10 for fans younger than 21.

Four seasons

Switchfoot lead singer Jon Foreman, who spent part of his teenage years in Virginia Beach, is releasing a series of solo acoustic albums named for the seasons in which he'll unveil them.

The first in the quarterly series, "Fall," was released in November. "Winter" comes out Tuesday. Each CD will have six songs and will be available through his solo site, www.jonforeman.com

East to West

Matt Miller, a 2001 graduate of Norfolk Collegiate School, is strumming some serious pop-rock out in Los Angeles. His self-titled EP, released last year, was produced by Jack Douglas (John Lennon/Aerosmith/Cheap Trick producer). He's working on his full-length album, which will be produced by San Francisco's The Rondo Brothers.

Liner notes

Several tracks included on "Radio Songs," a collection recorded live on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" by Americana artists Robin and Linda Williams, are taken from performances at Norfolk's Chrysler Hall. They include "Things I've Learned," recorded May 12, 2001, and "Feed My Sheep," from their April 30, 2005, appearance.

Jeff Maisey, (757) 222-3934, jmaisey@pilotonline.com