Led Zeppelin Going To California

Kady and Andrea — Young and Wylde

ALTON — Alton High School graduate Andrea Young is thrilled to have the chance to come back to her roots and perform for family and friends at an upcoming concert at the Alton Riverfront Amphitheater.

Now a singing artist and resident in Nashville, Tenn., Young and Kady Malloy Wylde will bring their own brand of country rock to Alton on Thursday night.

Originally billed as "Kady and Andrea," the two recently chose a new official band name, "Young and Wylde," not respectively, but with the surnames "flip-flopped." This is a good indication they were going for the sound and effect of the name — not competing for which one has top billing. That seems to be the same sentiment as the two take to the stage with Wylde singing lead and playing piano, and Young on violin while adding her own vocal tone to the mix.

The two met quite by chance at an audition for an all-girl group in Oklahoma. Within a couple of days, the two had written a song, "My Own Cigarette," although neither one smokes. But they found they truly had a lot in common.

"We hit it off and thought with everything we did have in common, maybe we should work together musically," Wylde said.

Working together since April 2010, the pair recently recorded a yet-unnamed pop-country album that will be released in the coming months, including original songs such as "Adore," "What Makes Teardrops Fall" and "The Gone Song," for which they also have shot a music video in Texas, as well as a video for "I’m Tired."

In their performance, they plan to feature the CD’s original songs, as well as covers such as "With or Without You," by U2, Led Zeppelin’s "Going to California" and "Umbrella" by Rhianna.

Although their covers are drawn from a variety of genres, Wylde said, "We take our style and sound and infuse it into the songs."

Young grew up in Fosterburg and graduated in 2000 from Alton High School. Like many area graduates, she attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, interestingly enough earning a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in English. For a time, she was a teacher in St. Louis and played in local bands like Renegade, performing Top 40 country covers, primarily at Wild Country in Collinsville. She also taught violin in University City, Mo., and studied private violin herself, taking lessons from Tina Poynter in St. Louis.

This isn’t the first time she has performed in her hometown since leaving. She and Wylde played a short gig at Fast Eddie’s Bon Air in the spring. But this is the first time they’ve played at the amphitheater.

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