Children Jam with JoCo Fair's

              "Pied Piper"

By Cindy Blankenship

Many have heard the riches to rags career change stories:high profile attorney leaves successful law practice to bake cakes and such. A similar story was found at Josephine County Fair strolling down the midway, playing a washboard with a throng of children following him.

Larry Hiskett aka Washboard Willy was a landscape architect with a college degree who after many years as an independent contractor had finally landed his dream job, a salaried position with benefits and a nice comfy retirement package as the landscape architect for Loveland City Parks and Recreation in Colorado.

Two years later, a motorcycle accident that left his friend paralyzed and Hiskett with treatable injuries, changed Hiskett's life in another way. He'd been playing percussion when he had the time, but now his musical talent was no longer satisfied playing second fiddle. Hiskett handed his notice of resignation to his surprised boss and began playing full-time with bands - country, Cajun and bluegrass, mostly.

Long ago, Hiskett had been inspired by Washboard Leo who performed near the college Hiskett attended in Arkansas. He'd even purchased an antique washboard for himself. He would remember this musician as he played the wedding and bar circuits, which really weren't his thing.

Later, he played with a trio as a Colorado Cultural Ambassador in Japan, and a rare teetotaler among his musical colleagues, he was invited back to perform as a solo act at a theme park.

Necessity led to invention, and his one-man band was born. And, Hiskett, now Washboard Willy, soon discovered children were attracted to his special combination of rhythm, sound effects, and comedy, but that their shyness often held them back. So he began passing around hand-held rhythm instruments to the children who quickly took the cue.

"By the time I returned to Colorado, I knew I needed to change my focus to being a children's entertainer," says Hiskett who now instead of a shirt and tie wears a cowboy hat and bright Hawaiian shirt to "work."

By the look on children's faces following him around the JoCo Fair's midway and reading the accolades sung to him by parents and children in fan mail, it's apparent that Hiskett has accomplished what he's set out to do.

"Dear Larry, We would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for bringing such joy to our four-year-old son, Christian," one fan writes. "He has become a huge Washboard Willy fan!!! We attended every set you performed at the Children's Stage at the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee...Your performances were magical and your spirit filled each and every one of the children present. Since the first performance, Christian saw he has put himself to sleep pretending to be performing with you or 'being' you."

Another fan wrote that when she first heard his music at a wedding party she thought it was piped in until she saw Washboard Willy. "If there ever comes a day when you are second-guessing what you do," she writes, "you remember this day and strap-on that washboard knowing that you make a difference in children's lives."

A dental assistant writes that after the 65-year-old dentist and saxophone player attended a Washboard Willy performance he taped on his desk a picture of the colorful rhythm maker.

Hiskett's wife, Donnis, is part of his act. She pulls out cow bells, rhythm sticks, trash can lids, and other rhythm makers to the delight of children who love jamming with Washboard Willy.

Hiskett says the financial roller coaster ride of his musician's life is made worth it by the knowledge that he's sparking the love of rhythm and music in the hearts of children.

"I follow my heart and do what I love...The secret is to find your gift, perfect it and use it. Washboard Willy makes people smile, and I love to see them laugh...It's the child in me that plays to the child in you. "

Washboard Willy plays primarily in the western United States now - school assemblies, fairs, harvest festivals, and jazz festivals -traveling from Alaska to Arizona.

"Rhythm is the common language of all people," says Hiskett, who has traveled around the world with his music.

During the few weeks they are off the road, the Hisketts hang their hats in Bend, Ore.

Check out his schedule, photos, CD's and more at his delightful Website www.washboardwilly.com.  And they are on Facebook:  Willy's Washboard Jamboree