NEW MARTINSVILLE — ArtsLink presents a return engagement of Trout Fishing in America on at 7 p.m. Thursday at The Parlor Theater at Doolin Center, 253 Main St., in downtown New Martinsville.

Trout Fishing in America is the longstanding, four-time Grammy-nominated musical partnership of Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet. There are a handful of musical duos who can say they’ve been playing together for over 45 years and Trout Fishing In America is one of them. Meeting in the 1970s in Houston, Texas, Grimwood and Idlet were a part of the five-piece band St. Elmo’s fire. When the group dissolved, Grimwood and Idlet formed Trout Fishing in America, named after Richard Brautigan’s novel.

With Grimwood on upright and electric bass and Idlet playing a variety of guitars, the singer/songwriters built a nationwide fan base by delivering a percussive, vibrant sound and a dynamic stage presence. TFIA earned critical recognition as an eclectic folk-rock band who writes songs for all ages. The band received four Grammy nominations in the Best Music Albums For Children category, as well as three National Indie Awards, multiple Parent’s Choice and NAPPA Gold awards, and The American Library Award. In the 1980s, TFIA was in the first wave of artist-owned labels (Trout Records) to successfully record and market their own music.

The band’s homegrown success exploded in the 1990s leading to regular touring throughout the United States and Canada and the 2000s brought additional acclaim in children’s music. It’s not unusual for three or four generations of family to show up at a Trout performance, which is a point of pride for both Grimwood and Idlet.

“For years, we would play shows in schools around the country. Those kids grew up and had kids. They played our music for them and brought them to our shows. It is amazing to see generations of a family all at a Trout show; everyone gets something out of the performance,” said Grimwood.

Funding for this program made possible with assistance from West Virginia Northern Community College and WETZ/WYMJ Radio. This program is presented with financial assistance from the WV Department of Arts, Culture and History, and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the WV Commission on the Arts. This engagement of Trout Fishing in America is made possible through the Special Presenters Initiatives program of the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History. ArtsLink is committed to providing universal accessibility wherever possible. Persons with special needs can call 304-455-2278 to request assistance.