Underage musicians can no longer jam in Alberta bars

Young Alberta performers who cut their musical teeth in bars and lounges will have to find somewhere else to play because the province's liquor commission has stopped issuing special youth permits.

The change comes after the public backlash earlier this month about the province's plan to allow children as young as 12 to work in kitchens at bars and lounges.

Marilyn Carlyle-Helms, of the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission, said when the board reviewed that change, they decided it would be best not to allow anyone under 18 to work in licensed establishments.

"I think they just took a blanket sort of a protection view given some of the kinds of things that youths can be exposed to in a bar, for example violence," she said.

Creating a void for young talent: musician

Some Alberta musicians said the province is being unnecessarily heavy-handed.

"It's going to leave a void for showcasing young bands' talent," said Michael Rault, who plays in an Edmonton rock and roll band in which two of the three performers are underage.

"It's going to be hard to find places to play. I don't know what the next step will be."

Calgary blues guitarist Johnny V played in bars and lounges when he was young and now jams with underage musicians, including his 15-year-old son, James Mills.

"It just exposes them to a wide range of music and players. You can't have that kind of interaction ata school, not anywhere. That's where you get your training."

Mills said the only venue that's nowavailable to him and his friends is his school.

"I thought it was just stupid. Now the young musicians can't get experience from playing with professionals. I had a couple of bands andwe were going to get these permits and play at a few jams around town and now we can't."

His father is organizing a petition and has fired off faxes to the musical communityto try to get the commission to change its ruling.