Festival goers pouring into the Squamish Valley Music Festival on Saturday (Aug. 9) and Sunday (Aug. 10) might have strolled past someone who one day could be drumming away on the main stage.
And after his haul this past weekend, he’s well on his way to matching the bank accounts of some of his idols.
Seven-year-old Grant Boguski set up shop with his drum kit on the Centennial Way underpass on both days and managed to pull in over $1,300 in four hours out of the thousands that attended the SVMF.
His mother, Rachel Boguski, who was covering the festival for the Squamish Is Awesome website, was surprised to hear of her son’s sudden cash flow.
“I was shocked and I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I’m so proud and happy for him, but it’s going to put me out of business for providing allowance – no more bribery from me.”
Rachel said the idea for Grant to play outside came about after the family attended the Squamish Wind Festival and he saw a drum player doing his thing.
“He loves to drum,” she said. “And he loves to perform. He would have been out there all day if we let him.”
Rachel’s husband Colin Boguski helped set Grant up and he remained in the background as the fans and cash kept piling up.
“There were crowds of people watching and cheering,” Rachel said. “He got kisses from women and I think there’s something about seeing a child with a musical instrument. Some of the fans were telling Colin that they would see him at the festival in 10 years.”
The original plan for the busking was to raise enough money for Grant to purchase a microphone, but the money he pulled in well exceeded that goal. Rachel said the rule is that all money from music goes back towards music, whether it is for equipment, lessons or gear.
“We may have more musical equipment around the house than we ever imagined,” Rachel joked.
She said he’s been banging on the drums since the tender age of one.
“He got his first drum set when he was one and has always been listening to music intently from a young age,” she said.
Rachel said Grant is a big fan of the late John Bonham, who was best known as the drummer for Led Zeppelin. The Mamquam Elementary School student even performed the song Heartbreaker on Sports Day at Mamquam earlier this year.
After hours on the drums, Grant did get a chance to take in the festival and Rachel said he enjoyed Arcade Fire and Phantogram the most.
Grant has taken lessons at Squamish Academy of Music and he’s expecting to return there in the future, but the next big event for the Grade 2 student is the second annual Squamish Talent event on Aug. 29.
The local showcase will feature live performances in both the under 17 and adult category and occurs at the O’Siyam Pavilion as part of the Downtown Summer Series.
As for Grant, he’ll continue drumming away and, you never know, he could one day land himself under the bright lights of
the SVMF mainstage.
