Jackson's Small Town Boyz to open for nationally touring band at Show Me Center

The members of Small Town Boyz were practicing when they heard the unexpected news: They were in the lineup to open for Ludo, a nationally known touring band.

"We all just freaked out," Nik Scarpaci said. "We were bouncing off the walls excited."

The band, with seven members ranging in age from 12 to 16, will open for an all-ages concert at 8 p.m. today at the Show Me Center. Band members include Nik Scarpaci, 14; Kaleb Huggins, 14; Tony Busey, 13; Collin Barrett, 12; Taylor Barrett, 16; Melissa Colyer, 16; and Hannah Pfeiffer, 15.

After a rigorous practice schedule this week, Scarpaci, said the band took off Thursday to prepare for the show.

"Words can't explain it. I'm like so excited," he said. "I usually never get nervous for shows."

After winning the Jackson Homecomers talent show in July, the band played the Mid-South Fair in Memphis, Tenn. Throughout the past year, it started booking shows at local bars and recording songs.

"I can tell you one thing, I didn't really expect this," said Scarpaci, the drummer.

Kaleb Huggins, a guitarist, said playing in front of more mature crowds helped them develop as musicians. Huggins said he and bandmate Tony Busey write the lyrics but that songwriting is a collaborative effort.

"We just make it up as we go along," he said. "Sometimes we'll just sit in a big group and try to write that way."

Huggins said he likes to write about life, mostly love songs for girlfriends.

"That's kind of fun because you can put it on a CD and give it to them," Huggins said. "They really like that."

The band members attend school in the Jackson School District and balance school responsibilities with their playing schedule. Scarpaci, an eighth-grader, said the band does not practice the night before a test.

"My parents told me if my grades dropped, which they haven't, I'd be out of the band," he said.

He said he enjoys listening to local bands, but his dad limits his time after Small Town Boyz plays its set in a bar.

"He lets me listen to the band for 30 minutes or an hour and he takes me home," he said.

Later this month, the band will play for a school in Kentucky. It was also voted one of the top 50 bands in the Fender Road Worn contest, an online competition.

Huggins said he wants to study music in college, but he is open to a future with the band.

"Wherever this goes, wherever this takes us, I'm right there with them," he said.

abusch@semissourian.com

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