Music experts say a child prodigy like Tallan Latz comes along only once every four or five years. But child labor laws could keep the public from hearing him play the blues on his guitar.
Tallan, at age 8, is a blues guitar prodigy. He’s played in bars and clubs and has jammed with Jackson Browne.
Tallan had a busy schedule of club and festival appearances this summer. But that came to an end when an anonymous e-mail tipped off Wisconsin officials, who say the boy isn’t old enough to play in clubs. (He can still play festivals.)
Tallan’s father and booking agent say the anonymous e-mail may be the work of a jealous musician.
Tallan packed clubs when he played.
But the penalty if he continued to play in these venues would be too high: The employer can be fined $25 to $1,000, and the parent from $10 to $250.
The good news is that this roadblock didn’t get Tallan down. “Because I got more inspiration [to play the blues], I got more sadness in me,” Tallan said.
