PN Update / May 20! We just received notice that the Naperville Acoustic Pickers are back! Here’s their story from 2012.
On Saturday mornings since May, singing, strumming and pickin’ just west of the Dandelion Fountain along Naperville’s Riverwalk have attracted youngsters and other folks with the sound of music. Known as the Naperville Acoustic Pickers, the growing group of musicians meets to play a variety of stringed instruments, accompanied by an accordion, an occasional harmonica and many voices.
On Aug. 18, six accomplished musicians filled the corner of the pavilion with a lively mix of folk, country, and classic rock songs. PN spotted several guitars, a banjo, a mandolin, a bass and an accordion performing in perfect harmony.
Adults on park benches tapped their feet while young children danced and clapped with appreciation. A song book with the words was available for folks who wished to sing along with such songs as “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Bill Bailey” and many others.
One youngster walked up to musician Russ Swanson and asked, “What kind of guitar is that?”
And Swanson, a Naperville resident, replied, “It’s a mandolin.”
Organizer Swanson reported the group has been getting together since late spring, treating the community “to home-grown music purely for the love of it.”
In that time, more than two dozen musicians have joined the all-volunteer informal group, he said. New musicians, regardless of skill, are welcome any Saturday to add their talent to group.
Swanson said new musicians are recruited mostly by word of mouth with a bit of help from social media like Facebook.
When the audience began dropping money in their instrument cases, the group decided to donate any funds to the Loaves and Fishes, the local community food pantry.
As a youngster left some change in the canister by the case, a mother explained to her daughter that “Loaves and Fishes helps feed the hungry. It’s a good cause.”
The group meets every Saturday morning from 8 to 11AM in the Riverwalk Free Speech Pavilion across from the Naperville Public Library. Considering the exchanges with youth observed, the enjoyable entertainment also comes with good education on a variety of levels.
According to Swanson, when the days grow colder and shorter, the musicians hope to find a Saturday morning indoor venue in the downtown area. A coffee shop or restaurant would be ideal— that is if they don’t mind the lively music and laughter along with a crowd of potential customers.
For more information, contact Russ.swanson@gmail.com.
Info can can also be found Facebook by searching for “Naperville Acoustic Pickers.”
