Oldies For Young At Heart: Wayland Band Seeks Senior Community Gigs

WAYLAND, MA — They may be young, but they know their oldies.

A new band made up of two pairs of siblings who attend Wayland High School is searching for gigs across MetroWest, aiming to perform covers of oldies (and some new-ies) at local senior living communities.

The band Shouting Rustlers includes senior Austin Russell on vocals and guitar, 9th grader Eliza Russell on vocals, senior Katie Schouten on vocals and 9th grader Ben Schouten on vocal percussion, piano, trombone and ukulele.

The band grew out of Katie's role in the Wayland High School Theatre Ensemble's November performance of "Godspell," where she played the lead of Jesus. The activities director at the Traditions of Wayland senior community saw the show and asked Schouten to perform for residents. That gave her the idea of forming a band to play for local seniors.

"I really wanted to do it and thought it would be a great idea, but I also thought a band would be so much better than a solo," she said in a recent band demo video.

The band made its debut on New Year's Day at the Carriage House in Wayland. Some selections in the band's repertoire include "Stupid Cupid" by Connie Francis, "Let It Be" by the Beatles and "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis — plus newer picks like "Closer to Fine" by the Indigo Girls and "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry.

All they need is a space to play, and some potential new fans to listen. If you want to book the Shouting Rustlers, email either austin_russell@student.waylandps.org or katherine_schouten@student.waylandps.org.