Latest news, weather, high school sports for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

HANCOCK -- International musician and vocalist PJ Olsson is no stranger to working with bands to put on a show.  But teaching teenagers how to rock is a different story.

The singer/songwriter said when he was approached about playing a show in Houghton this summer, he decided to use local youth instead of his band to accompany him.

"They have to learn every structure, learn every chord," said Olsson.  "They have to know when to stop, when to play louder, when to play quieter.  I'm making them understand the songs, what they're about."

So, he invited kids,15 years old and younger, to come and learn how to play five songs off his new album.

"I think it's a lot of fun 'cuz after we practice, we get to jam around with lots of people," said 15-year-old Tia Swanson.  "And I don't really have friends that are into music; so when I come here, I just get to jam."

PJ's "Rock Camp" started the last week of May and runs for three weeks.

"Once all the parts come together, it's really amazing," said 14-year-old bass player, Ben Waddell.  "You can really see an improvement from the start.  When we were starting it wasn't sounding too great, and it's getting better and better.  I think by show day, it's gong to be really, really good."

For most of the teens, this is the first time they've played with anyone else.  Getting direction from a real rock star is tapping their creativity.

"I wish I could become better at, just like, being more confident, and being more leading and more rhythmatic," said 14-year-old Josh Gosland.

The teens will perform at the Houghton Spring Arts and Music Festival in downtown Houghton, on Saturday, June 13, at 7 p.m.