Kentucky Can'd Aid: Hancock & Shouse Donate Instruments To Local Middle School
The instruments were presented during an assembly on March 28
IRVINE, Ky. (March 28, 2025) — Students at Estill County Middle School were surprised when local musicians distributed a bevy of new instruments to them during an impromptu assembly Friday.
Arthur Hancock and Chris Shouse of local bluegrass duo Hancock & Shouse were on hand to donate five Yamaha acoustic youth guitars, one Yamaha bass clarinet, one Zildjian cymbal and several cymbal/xylophone mallets. The experience was one that hit close to home for both musicians, with Hancock citing his affinity for the local music community and gatherings like Kickin’ It On The Creek and Shouse — a teacher himself — previously having worked in the Estill County school system.
“We were able to directly target Irvine today thanks to Oliver Welch and [Richmond, Ky. based company] Petro Towery Inc.,” says Hancock. “We’re here today because of a donation made in his generosity. We’ve done this at West Irvine Elementary before along with at Second Street School in Frankfort, which I personally helped raise the funds for since my kids go to school there. In the grand scheme of things there’s not a lot of people that do what we do, so I want to do all I can to help instill the tradition of bluegrass music in younger folks so the music can carry on for generations to come.”
In addition to handing the instruments over, Hancock & Shouse also conducted a mini Q&A sessions where students asked them about everything from how [Chris] go into playing mandolin to how to make a living in the music industry. They also performed a handful of songs including their original “Throwaways” along with covers of “My Old Kentucky Home” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City.”
According to Shouse, it was just as important to play a few songs during the assembly as it was to donate the instruments so the kids could see what could can be possible with a bit of practice and how rewarding the act of creating music can be.
“Exposure is such a huge part when it comes to learning an instrument, so our hope is that us being here to play for them and delivering these instruments is going to unleash some of that musical desire within them,” says Shouse.
Excitement was palpable in the school’s gymnasium during the reveal, with many students and instructors alike reflecting on the gift while getting their first opportunity to hold and view them up close.
“This is stuff — especially the bass clarinet and cymbal — that we typically wouldn’t be able to get without the help of Can’d Aid, Hancock & Shouse and everyone else who made this happen,” says music teacher Mark Lamb.
“It’s amazing. We got so many new mallets. I’m so excited for the mallets, and there’s so much other cool stuff. It’s just amazing to be part of all this,” added student Kayla Goosey.
Friday’s donation is far from the first for both Hancock and Shouse through Can’d Aid, with Hancock having partnered with the Colorado based nonprofit aiming to empower the next generation of artists since 2018 when he was still playing with The Wooks. Shouse later came aboard in 2021 as a member of Wolfpen Branch.
The two are among several of what Can’d Aid calls “Tunes Ambassadors,” or touring musicians that host live performances, facilitate instrument donations, host educational workshops and provide inspiration to up-and-coming artists. Other ambassadors include and Steep Canyon Rangers, Fruition, The Infamous Stringdusters, Joslyn & The Sweet Compression, Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle, and Tyler Childers & The Food Stamps — who in April 2024 visited Ashland, Ky. to deliver instruments with bandmates Craig Burletic and CJ Cain through the organization.
Visit CandAid.org for more information.