Young trio heads for national contest

John Hiland got his start in music strumming a Mickey Mouse guitar at age 2. But he couldn’t get his stubby little fingers around the guitar’s neck at that time.

Hiland, now 15, doesn’t have that problem anymore. In fact, he, his sister Jodi, and brother Jerry are heading for the Country Music Association of America National Competition Aug. 14-18 in Oklahoma City, Okla.

The Three J’s of Woodland is made up of John, Jodi (13) and Jerry (11). John is the group’s lead singer and plays guitar, banjo, mandolin and fiddle. Jodi and Jerry provide backup and harmony vocals, sing some lead and do some clog dancing as well.

They play traditional country/bluegrass music as well as original songs written by John.

The Three J’s are generally backed-up by a four-piece band, including bass, lead guitar, fiddle and accordion.

The band earned the visit to the competition by winning at the state and New England levels, a process that began last fall.

They had to pass two auditions just to make the state awards show at Cony High School in Augusta. The Three J’s took home five awards from that competition. Next came the Colony States Regional in Providence, R.I. There were no other family groups entered, so John had to compete on his own.

“I really didn’t know how I did,” said John. “The competition was really super, with great voices and great songs.”

John ended up bringing home the American Eagle Award, symbolizing the Junior Male Entertainer of the Year.

For financial reasons, the group will be going into the national competition at something of a disadvantage, as the backing band won’t be able to go with them. The Hilands will be driving cross country in a van.

“We’re dependent on the backup musicians,” said John. “We’re really tight together, which gives us a driving country sound. But we won’t need to make that many adjustments.”

The band began fund raising late and things have been going slowly. A fund-raising dance, with The Three J’s and the Don Nickerson Show, will be held Friday, July 27, at the Princeton Elementary School gym.

“We just want to go down there and show them how Maine musicians are wicked good,” said John.

Donations can be sent to The Three J’s, P.O. Box 236, Woodland, Maine, 04694.