Meet young Jack Ziesemer, ags 2 1/2.He started playing the mandolin at 1, and is obsessed with music and musical instruments. Of course, I am steering him in the Right Direction.

His parents are Greg Ziesemer and Kriss Luckett Ziesemer, both well known local singer-songwriters. At my suggestion they are planning to bring Jack to Festival Acadien in the fall for his first immersion in Cajun music and culture. I believe it will stick.

I think it is great when parents involve their children in music. Hope they enjoy the festival and who knows, there may be another prodigy in the making.

Kids raised in a musical family--such as this, a professional musical family--are fortunate in that they are immersed, so that playing music WILL likely "stick." I'm always trying to entice my kids with music--and they love to sing with me. My kids hear me playing music most every day--but they are also busy with KID stuff...so they're not immersed the way they would be if they had to come to gigs and festivals with me (perhaps they will later--they're just 7 years old now). Unless I'm playing THEIR music (fun, kid's songs, or silly songs I make up)--if I'm playing blues on the accordians...even if I'm playing Irish on fiddle or flute...or even "oompah loompah" or the theme from "the Little Rascals" on clarinet...they say, "please stop dad!"