Children in the Andalusia Public Library’s Summer Reading Program were hard at work Thursday making their own instruments while Kevin “Woody” Woodson taught them that instruments can help shape their minds.
“I am a music teacher, so I believe in teaching them something different than being sucked into an iPad or video games,” Woodson said. “It’s like kids now-a-days don’t have any social skills because of these electronics.”
Woodson said that he would like to see what would happen if all power was lost for a day.
“When I was little we only had the radio and the Grand Ole Opry,” Woodson said. “We would look to different instruments to fill our attention span. We would learn hand eye coordination and harmony.”
Woodson brought out several of the 10 instruments, that he taught himself to play, to entertain the children.
“I have been playing instruments for 45 years,” Woodson said. “I am inspired by Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs, really all the bluegrass legends.”
Woodson played folk classics like “Banjo On My Knee” and “I’ve Been Working On the Railroad” on the banjo, “Sweet Home Alabama” on the mandolin and “Amazing Grace” on the piano.
T.J. Sullivan said that his favorite instruments that Woodson brought were the ukulele and guitar.
“I like them because most people can play songs on them,” Sullivan said. “And cause most every song can be played on them. My favorite songs are by Alvin and the Chipmunks and they can be played on the guitar.”
The APL’s Emily Brooks said that the kids are really enjoying this summer’s musical theme.
“The only scary thing about this Thursday was all the little pieces and all the little children,” Brooks said. “But they all had a great time.”
Today, the library will have Summer Movie Day, featuring “Peter Rabbit” at 2:30 p.m.
Next Thursday, Born To Be Wild will be at the library at 3 p.m., and will be bringing wild and crazy animals.
“Everyone needs to come to next weeks program,” Brooks said. “It will be the most interesting one of the summer.”