ALAMOSA — Four-time Grammy nominees and a band with a sound that is distinctly their own, Trout Fishing in America will be on stage at Society Hall on Saturday, April 14.  

“I've never known any other band who can appeal to and entertain a wider slice of humanity than these two dear friends,” says Don Richmond, Society Hall board member. “They'll make you laugh until you cry and touch and warm your heart, all at the same time. Don't miss them!” 

Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet formed Trout Fishing in America in 1979 as a means of survival.  

Busking on the streets of Santa Cruz with an acoustic guitar and an upright bass, the two quickly learned that engaging listeners instantly was the only path towards dollars and coins in the open guitar case. When entry in a music contest required them to have a name for their act, they chose Trout Fishing in America as an homage to Keith’s love of writer Richard Brautigan and Ezra’s love of fishing. 

They returned to Texas and continued performing as a duo, landing gigs in the southeast United States. For a band comprised only of a guitar, a bass, and two vocalists, they were soon getting strong recommendations from fans and club owners as their musical style and unique presence on stage led to Trout becoming known as “a show not to be missed.” 

In the 1980s, they formed their own Trout Records label and released two vinyl albums and two cassettes. Drawing inspiration from childhoods spent listening to top 40 AM radio, the two songwriters seasoned their music with stylings from rock and roll, blues, folk, country, bluegrass, funk, Latin, and reggae…whatever sound would best bring out the flavor of the lyrics they wrote. From the beginning, they were a song writing team with Keith typically being the lyrical generator while Ezra developed the music.  

Trout’s success and appeal exploded in the 1990s, which led to regular touring throughout the US and Canada and racking up a half million miles in their infamous red truck, Robert RedFord. That decade also ushered in the era of compact discs, and Trout released 9 more albums from 1990 – 1999 on their label. They were nominated for Grammy awards in 2001, 2004, 2006, and 2008. 

In March 2020, they stopped touring and, following a short break, reunited at the Trout House Studio where they did what they do best: writing songs together. With live gigs disappearing, the studio became their safe house while they wrote over a dozen new songs and performed monthly live streams to stay connected with their fans. The result is Trout’s 25th album, “Safe House”. 

It is not unusual for three or four generations of a family to show up at a Trout performance. While it may still be impossible to say what kind of music Trout plays, after attending a show, you’ll know exactly what you’ve witnessed: two guys who still love what they do and are excited to share it with you. 

Trout Fishing in America will perform at Society Hall located at 400 Ross Avenue in Alamosa on Saturday, April 12, at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at www.societyhall.org or at the Green Spot, 711 State Ave.