Hear & Now: Putting Holly Road on the map

THE KID... make that kids... are all right.

If you've followed the career of child prodigy singer-songwriter Grant Austin Taylor, you know the 13-year-old middle schooler has been backed by such accomplished musicians as drummer Scott Travis, who plays with Judas Priest, and keyboardist Harvey Kojan, formerly of radio station FM99. The only problem with this lineup has been that Grant's a kid and these are old men, comparatively speaking.

But Grant, who has shared the stage with Better Than Ezra and the Steve Miller Band among others, finally is old enough to form a group with musicians roughly his own age. Joining him in blues-rock outfit Holly Road are Dillon Goldberg (bass, 14), Daniel Karp (guitar, 15) and Carlton Lillard Jr. (drums, 20). Though they only recently started rehearsals, the quartet has big plans.

On Sunday, Holly Road will perform at the Jewish Mother as part of a fundraiser organized by the Natchel Blues Network. The NBN is supporting the band to help cover expenses for its appearance in the youth showcase event as part of the Blues Foundation's 25th International Blues Challenge in Memphis on Feb. 6.

The Jewish Mom gig starts at 4 p.m. Admission is $5.

 What a Difference

Virginia Beach pop-rock quartet Days Difference is nearly ready for prime time. The band of brothers - Jeremy and Jonathan Smith and Jeremiah and Micah Ricks -have recently shot their updated promo pictures and recorded 10 songs, eight co-written with some of the hottest writers in the music biz, including Tim Myers (One Republic), Wayne Wilkins (Beyonce, David Archuletta) and Stefanie Ridel (Pussycat Dolls, Fergie). Short clips from three new tunes can be previewed at www.myspace.com/daysdifference. "Radio Song" will be sent to radio stations as the band's first single April 21. The full-length album debuts in June on Universal/Motown.

According to manager Jay Michaels, they even have an acting part an upcoming Hannah Montana movie.

Cool country

Local country music radio station 97.3 The Eagle will host its second annual Winterblast promotional concert Saturday at the Hampton Coliseum. This year's entertainers will include Jamie O'Neal and Darryl Worley. (Keith Anderson has had to pull out because of illness.) Such concerts serve The Eagle's branding efforts.

"It helps the station reinforce the strength of country music in Hampton Roads plus gives us a chance to showcase some up-and-coming talent for our audience," said John Shomby, Eagle's director of programming and operations.

The show also provides country music fans with a nonsummer event.

"They are such a rarity in the fall and winter because of the history of country music festivals/outdoor concerts in the warmer months throughout the country," Shomby said. "Most acts plan their album recording in the off-season because of that."

The Influence

It hasn't reached its goal to fund its next album, but The Influence has raised enough to get started on recording at Low Watt Studios in Raleigh. Fans of the Virginia Beach pop-rock act can still support its mission at the site: theinfluenceofmusic.com.

Better than karaoke

If you've ever dreamed of fronting your favorite cover band and singing hits from Outkast, Maroon 5 and Green Day, here's your chance. Peabody's in Virginia Beach is hosting what it calls Rockyoke on Jan. 31. Spin City and Snackbar Jones will serve as the backup band. Just select a tune from the list, sign your name and then do your best Gwen Stefani impression when your name is called.

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