The library was there. The band was there. But where were the people? I could not believe the sparseness of the welcome on July 26, 2006, at Glendale for The High Strung, one of America's leading young rock & roll bands.

In spite of the disappointing crowd turn out, Chad Stocker, bass guitar, Derrek Berk, drums and Josh Malerman singer- songwriter and lead guitar displayed talent and enthusiasm during their set. The band has a very large sound for only three guys. No covers here. The group showed cleverness, innovation and originality in their lyrics and music. Songs like Rainbow Rambo, What's the Score and Truce highlight why Rolling Stone magazine has called The High Strung one of the best new, young rock & roll bands in the country. The teens that were present were all ears and even the librarians were tapping their feet. Quipping, "We're playing the covers of the future," these talented Detroit natives are on their way.

This unique library experience started when a maverick librarian in Plymouth, Michigan, realized music could promote reading and raise awareness of libraries among young people. A film crew follows the band to document the tour. Fun techniques such as taking a pile of books, picking out sentences at random and making up a song on the spot spotlight the group's creativity.

Last summer the group toured 40 libraries in Michigan. This summer, The High Strung has been in 42 libraries from Massachusetts to Oregon. Glendale Library was the first site they have encountered in a mall and with a food court. Josh Malerman called the location, "Genius."

Classifying themselves as bombastic indie pop, this Midwest band's CDs include its 2003 debut, These Are the Good Times, named one of the Top 10 Rock Records of 2003 by National Public Radio's Ken Tucker and Moxie Bravo.

Since most everyone missed their outstanding performance, you can make up for it by visiting out their site at www.thehighstrung.com. And remember the library brings programs like this to us free. Support them, so their great programs don't disappear.