Musical roots run deep for child prodigy

by Becky Uehling

Grant Tribune-Sentinel

For Shane Parde of Adams, Neb.,  playing music has come easily. The six-year-old child prodigy wowed attendees of the Perkins County Fair recently with his amazing self-taught talent on the banjo. He has also taught himself to play the electric and acoustic guitars and he can also play the drums. 

For many people, Shane’s natural abilities are incredible. However, for his family, his gifts aren’t too much of a surprise, because musical roots run deep in his family tree.

A Heritage of Music

The son of Jeff and Laura (Wright) Parde of Adams, Shane is the grandson of Bill and Carolyn Wright of Grant, great-grandson of Harold and Verlene Wright and Bud and Vivian Todd, all from Imperial; and great-great-grandson  of William and Elva Akers-Wright from Wauneta. Bill, Elva, Harold, along with Shane’s great-great-uncle Loran, and his aunt Sherry and uncle Randy, are all musically inclined, according to Shane’s mom.

The Early Love of Music

Laura said Shane has enjoyed music from an early age.  

“I tell people we could always keep track of Shane because he was, and still is, always humming,” she said. “Also, if music was playing, he would be moving, whether it was just his fingers moving to a beat or all out dancing.”

Laura said when Shane was a baby, the only way his parents could get him to quit crying was to play a song by Charley Pride called “Roll on Mississippi.”  

“He would listen to it so intently,” Laura said.

Right before Shane was born, his dad, Jeff, who had never played an instrument, but has always loved music, decided to buy a banjo and taught himself some of the basics, Laura said.  

“Shane always wanted to play his dad’s banjo, even as a baby,” she said. 

When Shane turned 4, Santa brought him his own smaller banjo, and his natural music abilities just took off, she said. 

“His Grandpa Wright and Aunt Sherry have given him many pointers, but he pretty much has taught himself how to play,” Laura said.

Shane tunes his own instruments by ear, and plays by ear, which at this early age has helped since he can’t read yet, Laura said.

“One day on our way to school, Shane was in kindergarten, we were listening to a song, and he told me what key they were playing it in. I was like ‘oh, ok’, but as soon as I got home I had to look it up, and he was right,” she said.

Shane also decided to play for his kindergarten’s talent show.  

“His plan was to play a song he had made up, but at that age things change pretty quickly,” Laura said. “What he made up on the spot turned out to be something completely different.” 

Seeking a Teacher

The Pardes decided to seek out a teacher for Shane and called Matt Richardson at Blue Raven Music Studios in Lincoln. At first Matt was a little skeptical, Laura said.

“I had told him about Shane and wanting to find someone to teach him some basics. Matt said he never taught anyone that young, but would watch the video I had sent him,” Laura said. 

Matt called the Pardes right back and said he’d love to work with Shane and see how it went.  

“It’s been fun watching those two together,” Laura said. “Matt has learned that if Shane tells him his banjo or guitar is out of tune he should probably tune it right away or Shane will mention it all throughout lessons.”

Laura said Matt and Shane have gotten to where sometimes they just jam during lessons, but that Matt has helped Shane learn a lot of rolls and techniques. 

Playing in Front of a Crowd

Matt has also introduced Shane to performing in front of and with people, including at Meadowlark Coffee & Espresso in Lincoln, and at the Cortland Opry House in Cortland.  

“(The Cortland Opry House) invited Shane to come and play with them when they get together and jam on certain nights,” Laura said. “It’s probably Shane’s favorite thing to do, to just to have someone sit and jam with him so he can take it away with the lead guitar and pick away. Any opportunity that Shane gets to play he is all smiles. He will play as soon as he gets up in the morning or try and get one last picking in before bedtime.”

Shane has also played at farmers markets, and last year he played with his Aunt Sherry for the residents at Gold Crest Retirement Home in Adams.  

Laura said she and Jeff are thankful to the Perkins County Fair Board for allowing Shane to come and play during the Perkins County Fair. 

“Playing at events helps him to feel more comfortable in front of a crowd,” Laura said.  “It’s been a blessing to be able to share Shane’s love of music with everyone.” 

Those who would like to see Shane perform can watch videos that Laura and Jeff have uploaded to YouTube at lauraparde7886.