Featured Youth Artist
Richard Cameron Lovely

This talented 10-year old has a busy summer ahead of him after his recent graduation from Ambler Elementary and Gifted Magnet School. His scholarly achievements include all outstanding evaluations on the Annual California Certificate of Merit Examinations. At his young age, he's already added public speaker to his growing resume of talents. He also finds time for other things he enjoys, like playing basketball, reading and playing video games. 

When it comes to music, well, let's just say that he's developing some pretty impressive chops on the piano.  Most recently, he earned the Gold Pin at the Nation Auditions in Piano. He has performed at numerous events in the Greater Los Angeles Area.

Richard Cameron came to the attention of MADCatfish Blues Festival in May 2015 when the producer attended a friend's graduation at American Jewish University in Bel Air.  Richard attended the after-graduation reception with his mother, who had also come to the graduation.  There was a man playing an electric piano inside the reception.  Being one of the few children at the reception, Richard was probably somewhat bored and restless ... so what did he do.  "Mom, I wonder if that man would mind if I play when he takes a break?"  Her reply, "You should ask him."

Here's a short video clip (less than 1 min.) of a ragtime-style piece he was playing around with, and the inside scoop is that he NEVER expected this to be placed on YouTube.  I've heard him play, and I can testify that this clip is nothing more than him runs some notes to warm up for some real playing.  But since it's the only clip I have, you'll have to enjoy this until you have the pleasure of him playing Misty, which I have requested as one of the tunes that he must play onstage at the MADCatfish Blues Festival.

He clearly used his communication skills and timed his request in between one of the songs.  The next thing we heard was this little guy speaking into the mic, "I'd like to play a song and dedicate it to Ms. Rae Jones to congratulate her on her graduation today."  He was just a kid, so I expected some little cutsy kid's tune, until ...... no he didn't, oh yes he did!  This kid played "Misty" and I mean impressively played the tune.  Oh yeah, he's MADCatfish ready, and we're honored to include him in the line-up to debut in his very first regional music festival.