Most residents of the Roaring Fork Valley either know or have heard of Louie Girardot, and the lucky ones have enjoyed his music over the years.
I had the pleasure of playing music with Girardot, and I thought that Sopris Sun readers might like to know more about him. He has performed all over the Roaring Fork Valley, and he shows no signs of stopping. I wanted to know how he was drawn into the realm of music performance. Upon learning more about his family, I have learned that a musical life for Girardot was virtually inescapable.
Girardot’s mom, Pat, was a piano teacher. She started teaching her son the piano when he was just 5 years old. She was also a cellist with Symphony in the Valley. Because his dad was in the music industry and owned a music store, Girardot’s dad had “tapped one of his connections” and got him a shiny, new rental trombone, which was just what he wanted.
Girardot reported that he was quickly good enough to join all of the “honor bands.” Then, in high school, he switched to the tuba, and by his junior year, he was “making all the honor bands” once again. It was around that time he was courted to attend Colorado State University’s music program on a scholarship.
He now appreciates many forms of music, but said that “one of the most transformational shows” he ever saw was The Samples at Red Rocks in 1993. Others of his favorites include Pat Metheney, Brian Auger and Mark Knopfler.
As for the state of music in the Valley, Girardot takes issue with big, live concerts with tickets that cost $150 or more. He believes that “enthusiasm for live music tends to ebb and flow in almost a decade-long cycle.”
Girardot said the only time he left a stage before the show was over was during the Coal Seam Fire in 2002. The band had two gigs that day — one in Carbondale and one in West Glenwood. When he heard the band’s equipment in West Glenwood was in danger due to the fire, he left Carbondale to rescue it. A musician can never afford to lose his instruments or his equipment. Although the smoke was thick, all of the equipment was successfully rescued.