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Wanna-be stars get to 'B the band' at Rock County 4-H Fair

Photo

Photo by Kyle Bursaw

Eli Inman, 13, reacts to messing up a line while singing "Rock and Roll All Nite" by Kiss, while participating in " U B the Band" an activity at the Rock County 4-H Fair for kids. Inman is backed up by the U B the Band Stage Manager Kip Schwanke on drums and Megan Wickingson, 10, on 2nd guitar on Friday.

Photo

Photo by Kyle Bursaw

Jacklyn Kumlien, 13, shows her guitar skills in between verses of the Aly and AJ cover of the song "Do You Believe in Magic" while participating in " U B the Band" an activity at the Rock County 4-H Fair for kids.

JANESVILLE — Jacklyn Kumlien looked the part of a teen rock star Friday at the Rock County 4-H Fair.

Dressed in a striped pink tank top and ruffled green skirt, the rail-thin 13-year-old smiled with utter confidence as she sang and played a star-shaped guitar, even though she knew little about the instrument.

Her bandmate, Stephani Adams, 10, knew nothing at all about guitar, but that didn’t stop her from playing and singing her heart out to the Aly & AJ cover of “Do You Believe in Magic?”

The two girls formed the band “Aqua Jays,” one of several bands that made their debuts Friday at “U B the Band” at the Blue Ribbon Pavilion.

The show, which continues at noon, 3 and 5 p.m. today and Sunday, allows aspiring musicians of all ages to see what it’s like onstage, said host Kip Schwanke of Waukesha. The setup includes drums, guitars, microphones and video monitors, just like you’d see on a real concert stage.

“You see what it’s like to be your favorite stars,” Schwanke said.

For the group “Caitlin and the Cousins,” that favorite star was definitely Miley Cyrus. The girls, ages 6 to 13, eagerly took the stage to sing the first number, “The Climb,” on Friday afternoon. They knew the words by heart, even if they were less certain on the drums and guitars.

At one point, Schwanke took the hands of drummer Dana Cousin, 13, to help her rock out on a solo.

The band name worked on two levels because the members all are sisters or cousins, and three of the five bear the last name of Cousin. Different combinations of the “Cousins” sang another Cyrus song and an encore of “The Climb” later in the show.

The performers don’t have to know what they’re doing because there’s plenty of background music and vocals to keep the songs moving forward, Schwanke said. It’s more about the experience than nailing the music, he said.

Although Stephani and Jacklyn didn’t have much experience as musicians, they had plenty of performance experience through their membership in the real Rock Aqua Jays, the celebrated water ski team.

They even knew the importance of a crew, handing over a goldfish they’d won to fellow water skier Olivia Martin, 13, before their turn.

“I’m their manager,” Olivia said with a smile.