The Appalachian
Festival was held alongside Frostburg’s Bicentennial event this past weekend. Greg Latta was one of the performers at
the Appalachian Festival on Saturday. He not only performed, but he also was an MC. Latta is a professor at Frostburg
State University. One can find him in
Compton Science Center as he teaches physics and cosmic concepts. What is really interesting about Latta is
what he does when he is not teaching at Frostburg.
Ever
since he was six years old Latta has been playing one instrument or
another. Before his mother gave him a
recorder, he picked up the harmonica in the boy scouts. Then, his mother gave
him a guitar and he just wanted to play. Next, he is picking up a ukulele and
learning how to play that as well. While
listening to the WKSU station at Kent State University, he became hugely
influenced by Pete Seeger and the whole folk music revival. While going to Kent
State, Latta decided to take a music fundamentals course as he did not know how
to read music. Within four weeks he learned how to read music. In that first
semester at Kent State he was offered a solo. Latta has never taken music lessons as he is able to teach himself to play every instrument he owns.
Time has flown by and
now he owns dozens of instruments. The
amount of instruments he plays is a different story. He believes that playing an instrument means
that he can play as well as something he hears on a cd or radio. Playing
instruments is not just a hobby but a business. He does not just play, but he
sings and records as well. It’s his second career. Latta notes that, “If I only
did physics I would be wasting half of my brain.” He made a commitment to play
and use the best instruments and equipment and he plans to keep that commitment.
Latta also writes
music. His first record consists of original hammer dulcimer music. He hopes
the uilleann pipes will become another signature instrument of his like the
hammer dulcimer. Now, he is starting to pick up the Northumbrian pipes.
Latta received a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council. He was awarded money and a
certificate from the governor. In order to receive such a grant, he sent in a
piece that used the guitar, banjo, and of him singing. He considers himself a
renaissance man. Latta said this in to response to how he feels as a
renaissance man, “I’m not Da Vinci, but I’m like Da Vinci was.” He has an
innate drive to just do it all.
Latta believes he was
given two gifts, “the gift and the gift of knowing I had it.” He is fortunate
enough to be able to pick up instruments and understand how to get into the
groove of playing one. Once Latta believes he has mastered an instrument he picks up another and gives it a try. With over two dozen instruments, Latta’s
collection is still growing and he is still learning.
You can check out Greg
Latta’s performance at the 2007 Appalachian Festival here:
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